<J^' 


Entered   according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1876,  by 

FREDERIC    DENISON, 
In  the   Office   of  the   Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


PRE93  OF  B.  L.  FREEMAN  &  CO., 
CENTRAL  FALLS,  R  I. 


WITH  AFFECTION   AND  HONOR, 


TO     ALL 


f  eoparbetr  %u  Sibes  unto  %  |3eat|j  'n  %  !«&  lla«a  of  t^e  Jielb," 


SECURING 


THE     OVERTHROW     OF     SLAVERY 


THE     TRIUMPH     OF     LIBERTY. 


M211161 


What  gallant   battalions    came    forth    for    the    right, — 
Their   carbines   and   sabres   reflecting   the   light 
As   flame-lances   boreal    flash   on   the   night ; 
'Neath   guidons    and    standards,   their   courage    aglow, 
With    the    swiftness    of  arrows    as    shot   from    the   bow, 
The   steel   of  our   horsemen    sped   home    on   the   foe: 
We    dashed    o'er    the   field    like   the    sweep    of  a    gale; 
We  parried   their  missiles    and   smote    through    their   mail 
Boasted   Ashby    and  Stuart   fall  back   from   the   shock 
As    buffeted    surges    recoil    from    a    rock. 

F.  D. 


PREFACE. 

DUTY  bids  us  signalize  principles,  sacrifices  and  mar 
tyrdoms.  Devotion  to  the  liberties  of  our  country  ;  hon 
or  to  our  fallen  comrades ;  affection  for  our  surviving 
fellow  soldiers  ;  and  the  regard  we  have  for  the  inquiries 
of  all  who  may  come  after  us,  have  demanded  the  re 
cord  of  patriot  services  we  here  present.  The  work  has 
been  delayed  by  reason  of  the  difficulties  and  delicacy  of 
the  task. 

By  storms,  streams  and  the  shocks  of  battle,  the  most  of 
our  regimental  papers  and  records  were  destroyed.  Cer 
tain  diaries,  in  the  pockets  of  officers  and  men,  fortunately 
survived  the  floods  and  the  flames.  These  memoranda, 
and  official  reports  made  to  the  Government,  supplement 
ed  by  State  papers,  letters  and  recollections  from  the  men 
of  the  command,  have  furnished  the  substantial  and  ful 
ly  reliable  data  of  our  account. 

Essential  aid  was  found  in  the  Chaplain's  journal  and 
"Notes  by  the  Wayside  ;"  also  in  the  " Notes  by  the 
Bridle  Paths  "  from  the  pen  of  Lieut.  J.  A.  Chedell,  Jr. 
And  special  obligations  are  acknowledged  to  Capt.  Allen 


8  PREFACE. 

Baker,  Jr.,  for  his  diary,  enlarged  by  his  many  memories, 
and  his  extensive  correspondence  with  officers  and  men ; 
all  his  papers  having  been  copied  by  him  for  our  use. 
His  assistance  in  preparing  and  publishing  the  roll  of  the 
regiment  has  been  invaluable. 

We  gratefully  mention  the  full  and  racy  journal  of 
Geo.  A.  Sargent,  (Troop  L.)  the  anecdotes  and  incidents 
from  which  will  be  highly  enjoyed. 

Valuable  papers  and  verbal  contributions  have  been 
received  from  Maj.  P.  M.  Farrington,  Maj.  W.  H.  Tur 
ner,  Capt.  G.  M.  Bliss,  Capt.  E.  E.  Chase,  Nathaniel  G. 
Stan  ton,  M.  D.,  Welcome  A.  Johnson,  Sergt.  Wm.  Gar 
dner,  Sergt.  Emmons  D.  Guild,  Edward  F.  Colwell, 
Sergt.  Lyman  Ayles worth,  Sergt.  A.  C.  Sweeting,  M. 
E.  Allen  and  others. 

For  the  valuable  letters  of  Lieut.  J.  R.  Umfreville  we 
are  indebted  to  his  parents  ;  as  also  for  facts  and  papers 
to  the  relatives  of  Sergt.  R.  V.  Barrows. 

Important  extracts  have  been  made  from  a  sketch  fur 
nished  to  the  Adjutant  General  of  New  Hampshire  by 
Brevet  Brig. -General  J.  L.  Thompson  ;  also  from  papers 
supplied  by  Hon.  George  T.  Sawyer,  of  Nashua,  N.  H., 
and  from  papers  by  Capt.  G.  W.  Easterbrooks  and  Corp. 
T.  H.  Sprague. 

The  Committee  of  the  Veteran  Association,— Maj.  P. 
•M.  Farrington,  Maj.  W.  H.  Turner  and  Capt.  Allen  Ba- 


PREFACE.  9 

ker,  Jr. — chosen  to  assist  in  the  work,  have  given  their 
best  efforts,  and  deserve  particular  thanks. 

We  have  aimed  to  present,  not  a  general  or  minute 
history  of  the  war,  since  others  have  already  done  this, 
but  to  record  the  life  and  doings,  the  duties  and  experi 
ences  of  our  command — the  part  we  acted  in  the  great 
and  bloody  tragedy.  Our  purpose  is  peculiar  and  spe 
cific.  We  have  aimed  to  furnish  a  volume  of  facts  and 
war  scenes,  true  to  ourselves,  interesting  to  all  present 
readers,  and  full  of  useful  hints  and  practical  lessons  of 
instruction  to  any  regiments  of  horse  that  may  hereafter 
be  called  to  the  defense  of  our  country.  As  best  suited 
to  answer  all  these  purposes,  we  have  chosen  to  employ, 
in  a  kind  of  general  way,  the  journal  style  of  narrative. 
We  submit  our  work  to  all  loyal  hearts. 

If  dear  to  thy  heart  be  the  weal  of  our  laud, 
Forget  not  the  part  of  each  gallant  command 
That  sprung  from  loved  homes  to  the  fire  of  the  field, 
And  won,  with  their  lives,  a  new  sheen  for  our  shield. 

F.  D. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    I. 
ORIGIN    OF    THE    REGIMENT. 

April— September,  1861 Pages  25—28. 

CHAPTER    II. 

ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    COMMAND. 
September,  1861— March,  1862 Pages  29—39. 

CHAPTER    III. 

ON    TO    WASHINGTON. 

March,  1862 Pages  40—44. 

CHAPTER     IV. 

RESCUE    OF    DEAD    BODIES. 

March,   1862 v Pages  45—53. 


12  C  0  N  T  E  X  T  S  . 

CHAPTER    V. 

FORWARD    TO    THE    FRONT. 

April,  1862 Pages  54—61. 

CHAPTER    VI. 

SCOUTS    AND     SKIRMISHES. 

April,  1862 Pages  62—71 

CHAPTER    VII. 

CAMP    STANTON    AND    THE    LONG    ROLL. 
May,  1862 Pages  72—81. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

OVER    THE    MOUNTAINS. 

May,  1862 Pages  82—85. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

CAPTURE  OF  FRONT  ROYAL. 

May— June,  1862 Pages  86—92. 

CHAPTER    X. 

SERVICES    IN    THE    VALLEY. 
June,  1862 Pages  93—98. 


CONTENTS.  13 

CHAPTER     XI. 

RECRUITING    AT    MANASSAS. 
June— July,  1862 Pages  99—111. 

CHAPTER     XII. 

ON    TO    THE    RAPIDAN. 

August,  1862 Pages  112—120. 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

BATTLE    OF    CEDAR    MOUNTAIN. 
August,  1862 Pages  121—128. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

RETREATING    AND    FIGHTING. 
August,  1862 Pages  129—137. 

CHAPTER    XV. 

BATTLE    OF    GROVETON. 

August,  1862 Pages  138—143 . 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

BATTLE    OF    BULL    RUN. 

August,  1862 Pages  144—147. 


14  CONTEXTS. 

CHAPTER    XVII. 
BATTLE    OF    CHANTILLY. 

September,  1862 Pages  148—150. 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 
BIVOUAC    AT    MINOR'S    HILL. 

September,  1862 Pages  151—155. 

CHAPTER     XIX. 
RECRUITING    AT    POOLEVILLE. 

September— October,  1862 .Pages  156—106. 

CHAPTER    XX. 

OVER    THE    KETOCTAN. 

October— November,  1862 Pages  167—173. 

CHAPTER    XXI. 

ON    TO    FREDERIC  KSBURG. 

November— December,  1862 Pages  174 — 183. 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

CAMP    NEAR    POTOMAC    CREEK. 

December,  1862— January,  1863 Pages  184—193. 


CONTEXTS.  15 

CHAPTER     XXIII. 
CORPORAL    BROWN'S    CAPTIVITY. 

August— September,  1862 Pages  194— 106. 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

OUTPOST    SERVICE    AND    BATTLE, 
February— March,  1863 Pages  197—207. 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

BATTLE  OF  KELLY'S  FORD. 

March— April,  1863 Pages  208—217. 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

SCOUT    DUTY    AND    BATTLE. 

April— May,  1863 Pages  218—225. 

CHAPTER    XXVII. 

PICKET    SERVICE    AND    FIGHT. 

May— June,  1863 Pages  226— 231. 

CHAPTER     XXVIII. 

BATTLE    OF    MIDDLEBURG* 

June,  1863 Pages  232—244. 


16  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 

CAPTIVITY    OF    CAPT.    E.    E.    CHASE. 
June,  1863— February,  1865 Pages  245—251. 

CHAPTER    XXX. 

CAPTIVITY    OF    SERGT.    J.    R.    UMFREVILLE. 
June— July,  1863 Pages  252—258. 

CHAPTER     XXXI. 

PRISON  EXPERIENCES  OF  SERGT.    W.    GARDNER, 
W.  A.    JOHNSON   AND   OTHERS. 

June— July,  1863 Pages  259—270. 

CHAPTER     XXXII. 
GATHERING    AND    REFITTING. 

June— September,  1863 Pages  271—285. 

CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

BATTLE    NEAR    RAPIDAN    STATION. 

September,  1863 Pages  286—290. 

CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

FLANKING    SERVICES    AND    LOSS. 

September— October,  1863 Pages  291—294. 


CONTENTS.  17 

CHAPTER    XXXV. 

HORRORS    OF     CONFEDERATE    PRISONS. 
CAPTIVITY    OF    SERGT.    E.    D.    GUILD. 

October,  1863— February,  1865 Pages  295—304. 

CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

FIGHT    NEAR    AUBURN. 

October,  1863 Pages  305—307. 

CHAPTER     XXXVII. 
ADVANCING    AGAIN. 

October— December,  1863. Pages  308—313. 

CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

BARBARITIES    OF    ANDERSONVIILE.     CAPTIVJTY    OF 
E.  F.  CALDWELL  AND  SERGT.  A.  C.  SWEETING. 

December,  1863— November,  1864 Pages  314—325. 

CHAPTER     XXXIX. 

HOLDING    FAST. 
December,   1863 Pages  32(3—32!). 

CHAPTER     XL. 
RE-ENLISTING    OF    VETERANS. 

January— March,  1864 Pages  330—341. 

2* 


18  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XLI. 

RETURNING    TO    THE    FRONT. 

April— June,  1864 Pages  352—358. 

CHAPTER    XLII. 

BATTLE    AT    WHITE    HOUSE    LANDING. 
June— July,  1864 Pages  359—365. 

CHAPTER    XLIII. 

BATTLE    AT    DEEP    BOTTOM. 

July,  1864 Pages  366—368. 

CHAP  T  E  R     X L  I  V . 
BACK    TO    THE    SHENANDOAH. 

August,  1864 Pages  369—374. 

CHAPTER    XLV. 

RAID    NEAR    BERRYVILLE. 

August,  1864 Pages  375—377. 

CHAPTER    XL  VI. 
BATTLE    NEAR    FRONT    ROYAL. 

August,  1864 Pages  378—379. 


CONTENTS.  19 

CHAPTER     XL  VI  I. 

PEELING    THE     VALLEY. 

August,  1864— Pages  380—383. 

CHAPTER     XL  VI II. 
SKIRMISHING    WITH    B  RECK  INRID  GE  . 

August— September,  1864 Pages  384—388. 

CHAPTER     XLIX. 

BATTLE    OF    OPEQUAN. 

September,  1864 Pages  389—393. 

CHAPTER     L. 

ON    TO    STAUNTON. 

September,  1864 Pages  394—396. 

CHAPTER     LI. 

CAPTIVITY    OF    CAPT.    G.    N.    BLISS. 
September,  1864— February,  1865 Pages  397—404. 

CHAPTER     L  I  I . 

DOWN  THE  VALLEY  AGAIN. 

September— October,  1864 Pages  405—408. 


20  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER     L  1 1 1 . 

THE    WOODSTOCK     RACES. 

October,  1864 Pages  409—411. 

CHAPTER     LIV. 

BATTLE    OF    CEDAR    CREEK. 

October,  1864 Pages  412—421. 

CHAPTER     L  V . 

ADJUSTING    OUR    FRONT    FOR    WINTER. 
October— December,  1864 Pages  422—430. 

CHAPTER    LVI. 

CAMP    NEAR    WINCHESTER. 

January— February,  1865 Pages  431—435. 

CHAPTER     LVI  I. 

SECOND    BATTLE    OF    WAYNESBORO. 
March,  1865 Pages  436—440. 

CHAPTER    LVIII. 
SHERIDAN'S    RAID. 

March,  1865 Pages  441—446. 


CONTENTS.  21 

CHAPTER    LIX. 

CAPTIVITY     OF    R  .     F.     ELDRIDGE. 
March— April,  1865 Pages  447—449 

CHAPTER    LX. 
FALL    OF    RICHMOND. 

March— April,  1865 -Pages  450—454. 

CHAPT.ER    LXI. 

SURRENDER    OF    LEE. 

April,  1865 Pages  455—458. 

CHAPTER     L  X  1 1 . 
RETURN    OF    THE    COMMAND. 

March— August,  1865 Pages  459—467. 

CHAPTER    L  X  1 1 1 . 

A  R  MY    HYMNS. 

Pages  468—474. 


CHAPTER    LXIV. 

OUR    FALLEN     COMRADES. 
ROLL    OF    HONOR. 

Pages  475—477 


22  C  0  N  T  E  N  T  S  . 

CHAPTER     L  X  V7 . 
ROLL    OF    THE    REGIMENT. 

Pages  478—597. 

CHAPTER    LXVI. 

VETERAN     ASSOCIATION. 

Pages  598—600. 


ENGRAVINGS. 

PORTRAITS    OF    CORPS    COMMANDERS  — FRONTISPIECE. 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  DUFFIE. 

MAP  OF  WAR  PATH. 


IX    MEMORIAM. 

CAPT.    WILLIAM    P.    A  I  N  S  WO  RT  H. . .  .Page    90. 
LIEUT.    JAMES    P.    TAYLOR Page  127. 

LIEUT.    (ACTING    CAPTAIN)    LORENZO 

D.    GOVE Page  1 69. 

xLIEUT.    HENRY    L.    NICOLAI Page  216. 

LIEUT.    JOSEPH    A.    CHEDELL Page  243. 

LIEUT.    CHARLES   ALBERT    S  A  W  YER.Page  311. 
LIST    OF    ENCOUNTERS Pages  465— 467. 


JND 


CHAPTER    I. 

ORIGIN     OF    THE    REGIMENT. 
APRIL— SEPTEMBER,  1861. 

.HOUGH  long  cherished  in  the  councils  of  Slavery, 
the  rebellion  at  last  broke  suddenly  and  fiercely 
upon  our  nation.  The  mad  throe  of  revolt  shook  the 
earth  beneath  us  and  clouded  the  heavens  above  us,  like 
the  shock  and  darkness  of  an  awful  earthquake. 

The  rebel  shot  that  smote  Fort  Sumter  (April  12,  1861) 
was  answered  by  the  clarion  of  liberty  on  all  the  hills  of 
the  Free  States,  summoning  the  loyal  and  brave  to  the 
support  of  the  Union.  Such  a  voluntary  and  instanta 
neous, uprising  of  a  great  people,  to  jeopard  their  lives  in 
defense  of  law  and  order,  had  never  been  known  in  the 
world's  history.  President  Lincoln's  call  for  seventy-five 
thousand  men  was  responded  to  with  a  promptness  and 
alacrity  that  thrilled  the  land  and  astonished  the  witness 
ing  nations.  It  had  not  been  believed  that  republican 
ism  was  capable  of  such  spirit  and  voluntary  self-defense. 


26  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

The  inflamed  insurrectionists  threw  themselves  into 
their  scheme  of  secession  with  a  marvelous  readiness  and 
resolution.  Not  the  crusaders  of  old  had  more  confidence 
and  zeal  in  their  chimerical  design.  The  great  question 
— Shall  Slavery  or  Freedom  command  the  Republic?— 
was  thus  submitted  to  the  arbitrament  of  the  sword. 

In  Virginia,  and  parts  of  the  other  seceded  States,  the 
slave  masters  had  been  trained  to  horsemanship,  and, 
among  the  young  bloods  of  the  aristocracy,  there  glowed 
something  of  the  pride  and  dash  of  the  old  cavaliers. 
The  Old  Dominion,  which  became  the  front  of  the 
battle  and  continued  to  be  the  chief  theatre  of  the 
struggle,  readily  sent  forth  splendid  battalions  of  cavalry. 
The  Black  Horse  troops  won  fame  for  their  spurs  in  the 
first  shock  of  battle  at  Bull  Run,  and  were  soon  followed 
by  the  bold  commands  of  Ashby  and  Stuart.  In  this 
arm  of  the  service,  at  the  opening  of  the  conflict,  the 
South,  both  from  habit  and  situation,  had  an  advantage 
over  the  North. 

To  meet  this  brilliant  and  swift  arm  of  the  Confeder 
ates,  Mr.  Lincoln  summoned  to  the  aid  of  our  infantry 
and  artillery  the  guidons  and  steel  of  the  loyal  North. 
The  call  was  enthusiastically  answered  from  the  pines  of 
Maine  to  the  prairies  of  the  West.  Governor  William 
Sprague,  of  Rhode  Island,  gallantly  offered  to  procure 
the  first  regiment  of  sabres  from  New  England.  He 
first  proposed  to  secure,  from  each  of  the  six  New  Eng 
land  States,  one  squadron;  and  so  began  in  Rhode  Island. 
His  design  was  so  ardently  seconded  by  the  people  that  it 
was  soon  found  that  much  more  could  be  done  than  had 
originally  been  contemplated.  Each  State  was  ready  and 
anxious  to  do  more  than  the  part  assigned.  Brave  old 
Massachusetts  and  hardy  young  Maine  determined  to 
raise  each  a  regiment;  others  were  eager  to  furnish  each 


1861.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  27 

a  battalion.  It  was  shortly  concluded  that  the  command 
proposed  by  Governor  Sprague  should  be  made  up. of  two 
battalions  from  Rhode  Island  and  one  from  New  Hamp 
shire;  and  the  sabres  and  spurs  were  quickly  forthcoming. 
This  was  the  first  full  regiment  of  cavalry  ever  raised  in 
New  England. 

Little  Rhody  lifted  her  guidons,  and  brave  spirits  ral 
lied  to  her  recruiting  station  in  Providence.  As  her 
territory  was  small,  though  her  heart  was  not  thus  cir 
cumscribed,  many  from  the  borders  of  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut,  with  a  passion  for  saddles  and  bridles, 
sought  admission  to  the  cavalier  command.  Meanwhile, 
the  bugles  on  the  White  Mountains,  answering  to  the 
bugles  on  the  shores  of  the  Narragansett,  called  out  a 
splendid  battalion,  superbly  mounted  and  thoroughly 
furnished,  in  their  rendezvous  at  Concord.  A  peculiar 
class  of  men  —  patriotic  spirits  of  dash,  fire,  fortitude 
and  endurance  —  elected  this  swift  and  arduous  arm  of 
the  service.  And  the  pride  of  New  England  was  in 
volved  in  this  command,  on  account  bf  its  name  and 
representative  character.  It  was  to  make  a  new  chapter 
in  our  history.  There  was  a  just  pride  of  thought  and 
heart  attaching  to  the  first  regimental  guidon  ever  lifted 
in  New  England,  and  which  was  to  be  aligned  with  the 
guidons  of  all  the  Free  States,  to  confront  the  battalions 
of  rebellion. 

Of  the  character,  education,  and  social  standing  of  the 
members  of  this  command,  taken  as  a  whole,  it  is  un 
necessary  to  speak.  The  history  of  the  regiment  shall 
be  the  eulogy  of  its  members.  Deeds  speak  louder  than 
words;  let  our  sabres  be  our  lips.  But  it  is  well  known 
that  in  all  the  arms  of  the  service,  during  the  first  part 
of  the  war,  not  only  the  field  and  line,  but  the  ranks  of 
our  army,  were  filled  with  enthusiastic  volunteers  from 


28  SABRES  AND  SPURS.          [September, 

the  best  families  of  the  land,  and  from  even  the  most 
independent  circles  of  society.  To  the  high  behests  of 
patriotic  duty,  not  a  few  millionaires  and  men  from  their 
elevated  professional  seats  went  out  from  their  mansions 
to  the  field  with  knapsack  and  blanket.  The  heart-beat 
of  the  loyal  States,  at  the  peril  of  liberty,  was  something 
too  sublime  for  language  to  express. 

The  clouds  were  th}ck;  the  winds  were  high; 
The  storm  poured  darkly  through  the  sky: 
But  the  blood  that  ran  in  our  sires  of  old 
Was  not,  in  their  heirs,  corrupt  or  cold. 
And  Heaven  forbade  that  fear  should  abash 
The  souls  of  the  free  with  Slavery's  lash. 

From  mart,  and  shop,  and  furrowed  field, 
Was  seen  the  glint  of  sword  and  shield; 
From  hall  of  wealth  and  cottage  door, 
With  equal  heart,  the  rich  and  poor, 
Responsive  to  their  country's  call, 
Their  banner  waving  from  the  wall, 
The  righteous  strife  with  zeal  embraced, 
And  martyred  fathers'  footsteps  traced. 

The  father  girt  his  armor  on ; 
The  mother  blessed  her  parting  son; 
The  knapsack's  corners  sisters  strove 
To  fill  with  tokens  of  their  love. 
The  aged  grandsire  spoke  his  cheers; 
The  cradle  bore  its  jeweled  tears; 
The  lover  paid  the  final  kiss, 
And  quivering  lips  replied  to  bliss. 


1861.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  2!) 


CHAPTER      II. 

ORGANIZATION     OF    THE    COMMAND. 
SEPTEMBER,  1861— MARCH,  1862. 

.HE  Government  order  for  the  organization  of  the 
regiment  was  dated  September  27,  1861.  Bull 
Run  disaster  had  thrilled  and  pained  the  loyal  hearts, 
but  at  the  same  time  had  braced  the  country  to  meet  the 
prolonged  conflict  which  was  now  certain.  Though  the 
three  months  troops  that  answered  to  the  President's  first 
call  had  returned,  other  regiments  of  infantry,  and  bat 
teries  of  light  artillery,  had  hastened  to  the  field  and 
were  bravely  holding  the  front  along  the  Potomac.  Cav 
alry  battalions  were  in  urgent  demand,  to  aid  when  the 
advance  should  be  made.  But  it  was  foreseen  that 
winter  would  intervene  before  the  opposing  armies  would 
venture  to  general  action.  Beauregard  had  his  head 
quarters  at  Manassas.  McClellan  was  organizing  the 
Federal  volunteers  in  Washington.  Recruiting  stations 
were  open  throughout  the  land.  Forces  were  steadily 
and  eagerly  gathering  under  the  National  Capitol. 

Our  first  and   third   battalions,  belonging   to  Rhode 
Island,  were  enlisted  in  Providence,  chiefly  by  the  zeal 
and  tact  of  General  John  Gould,  Colonel  George  W.  Hal- 
3* 


30  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 

lett,  Majors  Willard  Sayles  and  William  Sanford,  Cap 
tains  Burt,  Farrington  and  Anthony.  Others  rendered 
them  effective  aid. 

The  Rhode  Island  battalions,  as  enlisted,  went  into 
camp,  beginning  October  4,  1861,  in  Cranston,  by  the 
Cranston  road,  and  were  under  the  supervision,  at  first, 
of  Colonel  George  W.  Hallett,  of  the  Providence  Horse 
Guards,  and  Chief  of  Cavalry  of  Rhode  Island.  In 
honor  of  him  the  rendezvous  was  called  Camp  Hallett. 
Some  of  these  camp  experiences  will  not  be  forgotten. 
Thus  writes  Lieutenant  Baker,  as  a  sharer  in  the  scene: 

"  November  2,  1861.  Severe  rain  storm  in  the  night. 
Most  of  the  tents  blown  down.  Men  driving  pegs  and 
digging  ditches  in  the  dark,  and  laughing  and  hallooing 
to  each  other.  Some  cry,  'Hold  on  to  the  tent  pole!' 
' Look  out  for  your  clothes! '  '  Come  in  out  of  the  rain! ' 
and  very  soon  are  themselves  scrambling  out  from  under 
their  own  fallen  tent,  with  grimed  night  costume  no  way 
suited  for  dress  parade." 

During  the  first  week  in  December,  1861,  some  of  the 
troops  removed  from  Camp  Hallett  to  newly  erected  bar 
racks  in  the  riding  park  near  Pawtucket,  then  named 
Camp  Arnold,  in  honor  of  Lieutenant-Governor  S.  G. 
Arnold.  As  the  barracks  were  completed  we  all  moved 
up  to  Camp  Arnold. 

The  second,  or  New  Hampshire  battalion,  of  intelli 
gent  and  brave  White  Mountain  boys,  representing  all 
parts  of  the  Granite  State,  and  all  ranks  and  professions 
in  life,  was  wisely  enrolled  by  Major  D.  B.  Nelson,  with 
proper  assistants,  and  was  mustered  into  service  at  Con 
cord,  and  quartered  in  an  old  wooden  building  in  the 
centre  of  the  fair  grounds,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river. 
Though  the  men  had  bunks,  blankets  and  straw  beds, 
the  cold  December  winds,  driving  through  the  rickety 


1861.  J  FIRST  RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  31 

shelter,  keenly  reminded  them  of  the  homes  they  had 
left. 

Here  horses  were  provided  and  assigned  to  the  troops. 
They  were  of  the  small  Morgan  and  Canadian  breed,  yet 
not  of  very  light  weight.  These  beasts,  found  in  the 
north  of  New  England  and  parts  of  Canada,  proved  to 
be  of  superior  constitution  and  metal  for  cavalry  service, 
and  many  of  them,  purchased  in  the  autumn  of  1861, 
survived  all  the  hardships  and  battles  of  the  war. 

The  fair  ground  furnished  an  excellent  place  for  drill 
ing  both  men  and  horses,  a  work  in  which  the  soldiers 
took  a  lively  interest  and  manifested  a  wise  zeal.  Lieu 
tenant  Allen  Baker,  Jr.,  of  Rhode  Island,  by  direction 
of  Colonel  Hallett,  was  on  special  duty  at  this  camp, 
assisting  in  organizing  and  drilling  the  battalion.  As 
this  kind  of  work  was  entirely  new  in  our  country,  of 
course  all  officers  and  men  were  learners,  but  all  were 
eager  students.  Patriotism  mastered  all  difficulties. 

New  Hampshire  had  a  just  pride  in  these  her  worthy 
sons,  the  flower  of  her  mountains,  the  first  of  her  mount 
ed  troops.  Their  hearts  were  warm;  their  hands  were 
strong;  their  spurs  were  bright;  their  sabres  were  sharp. 
No  State  might  boast  superior  soldiers.  The  battalion 
came  on  by  rail  to  Rhode  Island,  to  unite  its  guidons 
with  the  standard  of  the  regiment,  reaching  Pawtucket 
January  2%,  1862,  and  was  handsomely  received  and 
quartered  for  the  night  in  public  buildings  in  the  town. 

January  23, 1862.  The  Rhode  Island  troops,  B,  C,  and 
D,  from  Camp  Arnold,  under  Captain  R.  C.  Anthony, 
with  the  regimental  band,  paraded  in  Pawtucket,  and, 
with  the  Slater  Drill  Corps  and  Cud  worth  Zouaves,  es 
corted  the  New  Hampshire  battalion  to  camp.  Thus  at 
last  all  the  guidons  were  brought  together,  and  it  was  a 
hearty,  enthusiastic  meeting. 


32  SABRES.  AND  SPURS.  [January, 

The  style  of  the  command  was  First  Eegiment  New 
England  Cavalry.  The  date  of  muster-in  was  December 
14,  1861.  The  mustering  officer  was  Captain  G.  M. 
"Cutts,  Jr.,  of  the  Regular  Army.  The  following  was 
the  roster: 

FIELD    AND    STAFF. 

Colonel,  ROBERT  B.  LAWTON. 
Major,  WILLARD  SAYLES. 

"      WILLIAM  SANFORD. 

"      DAVID  B.  NELSON. 
Adjutant,  JOHN  WHIPPLE,  Jr. 
Quartermaster,  CHARLES  A.  LEONARD. 
Surgeon,  TIMOTHY  NEWELL. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  J.  B.  GREELEY. 
Chaplain,  Rev.  F.  DENISON. 

LINE   OFFICERS. 

TROOP  A. — Captain,  J.  J.  GOULD;  First  Lieutenant, 
W.  H.  TURNER;  Second  Lieutenant,  JAMES  P.  YOSE. 

TROOP  B. — Captain,  E.  C.  BURT;  First  Lieutenant, 
ALLEN  BAKER,  Jr. ;  Second  Lieutenant,  R.  J.  BURGESS. 

TROOP  C. — Captain,  LYCURGUS  SAYLES;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  JOHN  WHIPPLE,  Jr. ;  Second  Lieutenant,  CHARLES 
H.  THAYER. 

TROOP  D. — Captain,  R.  C.  ANTHONY;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  W.  C.  C  APRON;  Second  Lieutenant,  C.  N.  MAN 
CHESTER. 

TROOP  E. — Captain,  P.  M.  FARRINGTON;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  CHARLES  S.  TREAT;  Second  Lieutenant,  L.  B. 
PRATT. 

TROOP  F. — Captain,  JOHN  ROGERS;  First  Lieutenant, 
RICHARD  WATERMAN;  Second  Lieutenant,  JOSHUA  VOSE. 

TROOP  G.— Captain,  JOHN  B.  WOOD;  First  Lieuten- 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  33 

ant,  GEORGE  N.  BLISS;  Second  Lieutenant,  CHARLES  A. 
LEONARD. 

TROOP  H.— Captain,  -  — ;  First  Lieutenant,  W. 

B.  B.  GREENE;  Second  Lieutenant,  HIRAM  P.  BARKER. 

TROOP  I.— Captain,  S.  E.  SWEETT;  First  Lieutenant^ 
L.  D.  GOVE;  Second  Lieutenant,  GEORGE  H.  THOMPSON. 

TROOP  K. — Captain,  J.  L.  THOMPSON;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  A.  WYMAN;  Second  Lieutenant,  FRANK  ALLEN. 

TROOP  L.— Captain,  J.  J.  PRENTICE;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  A.  H.  BIXBY;  Second  Lieutenant,  W.  P.  PRENTICE. 

TROOP  M.— Captain,  W.  P.  AINSWORTH;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  J.  F.  ANDREWS;  Second  Lieutenant,  J.  L.  PER- 
LEY,  Jr. 

Adjutant  of  second  (or  New  Hampshire)  battalion,. 
GEORGE  S.  CRAM. 

Quartermaster  of  second  (or  New  Hampshire)  bat 
talion,  J.  F.  ANDREWS. 

Chief  Trumpeter  of  Regiment,  E.  H.  GURNEY. 

The  full  roll  of  the  command  will  be  given  in  another 
part  of  our  volume. 

Each  troop  numbered  eighty  enlisted  men,  which 
brought  nine  hundred  and  sixty  men  into  the  ranks. 
These,  with  the  officers,  gave  the  regiment  a  round 
thousand  fighting  men.  For  the  full  command,  with 
wagon  trains,  we  required  fully  twelve  hundred  horses,, 
but  as  yet  only  six  troops  had  been  mounted.  Drawn  in 
line,  with  standard,  guidons,  band,  buglers,  and  full 
ranks,  we  presented,  on  parade,  a  splendid  and  imposing 
martial  array. 

Besides  the  chief  trumpeter  and  company  buglers,  a 
band  of  musicians  was  enlisted,  and  maintained  at  the 
expense  of  the  officers.  Neither  cost  nor  pains  were 


34  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

spared  to  make  the  command  worthy  of  the  States  it 
represented.  That  large  expectations  attached  to  the 
command  was  manifest  from  the  visits  paid  us  by  State 
officers,  Government  agents,  and  leading  citizens. 

Vigorous  drill  was  the  order  in^Camp  Arnold.  The 
camp  was  regular  in  form  and  manner,  and  the  barracks 
were  well  arranged.  The  manual  of  arms  was  varied 
and  relieved  by  parades,  reviews  and  marches,  to  accus 
tom  the  men  to  the  saddle.  If  occasionally  a  little  local 
and  State  pride,  and  possibly  jealousy,  appeared  among 
officers  and  men, — which  was  but  natural, — usually  all 
discreetly  subsided  into  a  determination  t©  excel  in  neat 
ness,  proficiency,  and  soldierly  bearing. 

February  1st.  The  officers  of  the  NCAV  Hampshire  bat 
talion  gave  a  handsome  reception  to  the  officers  of  the 
Rhode  Island  battalions,  at  Dispeau's  eating  house  in 
Pawtucket,  and  on  February  12th  the  Rhode  Island 
officers  fully  returned  the  compliment  at  the  Lindsay 
Place,  kept  by  the  well  known  Joe  Smith.  Music,  of 
no  inferior  order,  was  furnished  by  the  regimental  band. 
Hospitalities  were  constant  in  the  quarters  of  the  camp, 
and  the  regiment  had  truly  one  heart. 

February  21, 1862.  Major  W.  Sayles  was  commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Captain  R. '  C.  Anthony  was 
advanced  to  the  rank  of  Major. 

Sabbath  worship,  conducted  by  the  Chaplain,  was 
commenced  in  Camp  Hallett,  November  10,  18G1,  and 
ever  after  was  regularly  maintained:  observed,  of  course, 
always  in  the  open  air,  beneath  the  Divine  arch  of  blue, 
and  we  trust  under  the  Divine  smile.  This  service 
usually  consisted  of,  1,  singing;  2,  Scripture  reading, 
alternately,  in  verses,  by  Chaplain  and  men;  3,  prayer; 
4,  sermon;  5,  Doxology,  by  the  command;  6,  benediction. 
On  Thanksgiving  Day  (November  28,  1861)  the  squad- 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  35 

rons,  then  in  Camp  Hallett,  were  invited  into  Providence 
to  attend  religious  services  in  the  Central  Baptist  Church, 
accompanied  by  the  Governor  and  his  staff.  The  service 
was  impressive  to  all.  Afterwards  the  men  were  supplied 
with  a  bountiful  dinner  at  their  camp. 

Repeatedly,  from  Camp  Arnold,  we  were  invited,  in 
squadrons  and  battalions,  to  worship  in  the  churches  in 
Pawtucket  and  Providence.  Sometimes  prayer  meetings 
were  held  in  the  barracks. 

Our  tent  and  barrack  life,  extending  through  the 
severities  of  winter,  was  actively  and  profitably  passed  in 
the  work  of  preparation  for  our  solemn  mission,  then 
only  dimly  comprehended  in  its  tragic  nature  and  dura 
tion.  The  flash  of  sabres,  the  manual  of  the  carbine,  the 
maneuvres  of  troops  and  battalions,  the  daily  inspections 
and  dress  parades,  with  frequent  regimental  drills,  and 
little  episodes  of  amusement  and  recreation,  gave  to  our 
life  a  strange,  weird,  stern,  and  yet  lively  aspect.  Into 
the  warlike  work  warm  hearts,  patriotic  impulses,  and 
sacred  hopes  infused  a  cheerfulness  and  vivacity,  proving 
that  the  best  of  men  can,  under  great  calls,  leave  their 
homes  and  gird  themselves  for  battle  without  sadness. 
Indeed,  we  have  always  insisted  that  our  nation,  during 
the  rebellion,  was  veritably  inspired  of  God  to  meet  the 
awful  conflict  cast  upon  us.  Invaluable  to  us,  at  this 
time,  would  have  been  such  a  volume  as  this,  giving  the 
structure,  duties,  drill,  and  field  experiences  of  a  regiment 
of  horse.  But  no  such  volume  existed  in  our  country. 

George  A.  Sargent,  bugler  of  Troop  L,  in  his  spicy 
journal,  to  which  we  may  often  refer,  thus  pleasantly 
describes  what  he  styles  his  "initiation": 

"  We  were  sworn  into  Uncle  Sam's  service,  holding  up 
our  right  hands,  while  a  Regular  Army  officer  read  off  a 
string  of  articles,  we  repeating  after  him,  signifying  that 


36  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

we  should  do  all  in  our  power  to  aid  the  Government, 
obey  our  officers,  and  be  good  boys  generally.  Arriving 
in  camp,  we  were  required  to  give  our  names,  ages, 
height,  weight,  color  of  eyes,  hair  and  complexion,  and 
occupation.  This  over,  we  were  furnished  with  uniforms, 
making  us  feel  like  cats  in  a  strange  garret.  However, 
we  were  to  be  soldiers,  and  must  wear  them.  For  rations 
we  fell  into  line,  with  tin  plates,  cups  and  spoons,  and 
marched  up  to  the  cook  barrack  and  received  our  quota, 
via  Oliver  Twist." 

We  may  not  forget  the  good  oyster  supper  bestowed 
upon  us  on  Christmas  in  Camp  Hallett.  This,  however, 
was  but  a  specimen  of  the  kindnesses  shown  us  by  our 
fellow  citizens.  To  us,  as  to  the  regiments  that  preceded 
and  followed  us  to  the  field,  the  citizens  of  Rhode  Island 
vied  with  each  other  in  furnishing  all  necessary  aid. 
Men  of  wealth  bestowed  upon  officers  swords,  sabres, 
pistols,  sashes,  uniforms,  and  camp  comforts.  All  classes 
united,  and  especially -the  women,  in  contributing  blank 
ets,  mittens,  papers,  books,  and  hospital  supplies.  Three 
hundred  and  sixty  copies  of  "  Cromwell's  Soldiers'  Pocket 
Bible"  were  donated  by  W.  J.  King  and  B.  Dyer;  five 
hundred  pocket  Bibles,  by  the  Rhode  Island  Bible  Society; 
five  hundred  Army  Hymns,  by  A.  D.  Nickerson;  and, 
from  friends,  eight  hundred  copies  of  a  small  army  hymn 
book,  written  by  the  Chaplain,  designed  to  be  pasted 
into  the  Testaments  and  Bibles  of  the  soldiers.  Ladies 
in  different  parts  of  the  State,  sewing  circles,  volunteer 
associations,  and  particularly  the  Aid  Society,  of  Provi 
dence,  made  generous  contributions  to  our  comfort.  The 
Chaplain's  army  hymns  were  supplied  for  the  whole 
command,  and  also  for  some  batteries  of  artillery.  How 
truly  the  Army  of  Freedom  lived  in  the  hearts  and 
prayers  of  the  people! 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  37 

Sargent's  journal  says:  "The  officers  were  pretty 
strict  about  letting  the  boys  out  of  the  inclosure:  only 
three  from  a  company  were  allowed  passes  in  a  day. 
This  was  thought  to  be  slow  work.  Some  secured  citi 
zens'  suits,  and  would,  in  these,  pass  out  with  the  crowd 
of  visitors.  One  ingeniously  procured  a  female  dress — 
frock,  shawl,  bonnet,  and  other  trimmings — and  so 
passed  the  sentry  as  a  woman."  The  costume,  slightly 
varied,  did  service  a  number  of  times,  as  the  sentinels 
were  changed. 

"Our  men  had  issued  to  them  stable  frocks,  which 
were  white  and  made  like  dusters.  When  these  were 
new  and  clean,  some  of  our  boys  wore  them  into  the  town 
on  a  Sabbath  as  they  took  a  stroll.  Challenged  to  enter 
a  church,  they  went  in  and  were  seated  near  the  centre  of 
the  house,  attracting  no  little  attention.  The  minister, 
reading  the  Scripture  lesson  from  Rev.  iii.,  came  to  this 
passage:  '  He  that  overcometh,  the  same  shall  be  clothed 
in  white  raiment.'  This  woke  up  minister,  people,  and 
soldiers.  When  the  men  rose  to  face  the  choir  the  sen 
sation  was  augmented.  They  never  after  wore  their 
white  frock  to  meeting." 

How  eagerly  we  looked  for  the  daily  papers,  and  read 
the  numerous  and  flaming  telegrams.  The  war  engrossed 
all  thoughts.  Every  word  from  the  front  was  caught  as 
an  omen.  Prophets,  both  hopeful  and  despondent,  were 
numerous.  The  Democratic  vaticinations  were  generally 
doleful  and  disheartening,  though  some  noble  Democrats 
stood  heroically  by  the  Union.  The  Republicans  were 
full  of  hope,  courage  and  cheer.  All  sorts  of  reports 
reached  our  camp:  that  this  was  to  be  an  artillery  war; 
no  more  cavalry  was  wanted;  we  were  to  be  turned  into 
infantry;  were  to  be  discharged;  would  be  sent  to  guard 
prisoners;  that  the  war  would  end  in  ninety  days.  But 


38  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

New  England  penetration  was  not  readily  deceived.  We 
knew  that  much  and  weighty  work  lay  before  us.  Slavery 
had  thrown  down  the.gauntlet  in  earnest.  Freedom  had 
accepted  the  issue  as  a  call  from  God.  Liberty  was  to  be 
regenerated. 

Taken  from  comfortable,,  and  sometimes  luxurious, 
homes,  and  crowded  into  small,  thinly  covered  barracks, 
various  forms  of  sickness  were  experienced  by  many 
officers  and  men.  At  one  time  small-pox  occasioned  no 
little  anxiety  and  inconvenience,  but  no  case  proved  fatal. 
Four  deaths  occurred  in  the  command  in  our  home 
camps:  from  the  Rhode  Island  battalions,  Charles  A. 
•Graves  (Troop  B),  December  26,  1861;  Cyrus  Smith 
{Troop  E),  January  15,  1862, — both  buried  with  military 
honors; — from  the  New  Hampshire  battalion,  Eli  Cor- 
son,  December  30,  1861;  James  P.  Collamy,  January  14, 
1862, 

AVhile  we  were  acquiring  proficiency  in  the  use  of 
sabres,  carbines  and  horses,  events  occurred  to  animate 
the  nation  and  cheer  the  hosts  that  were  zealously  girding 
themselves  for  the  great  struggle.  Port  Royal,  South 
Carolina,  yielded  to  Dupont  and  Sherman,  November  7, 
1861;  our  Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artillery  was  a  part 
of  the  victorious  force.  A  Union  victory  was  won  at 
Dranesville,  Virginia,  December  20,  1861.  At  Mill 
Springs,  Kentucky,  General  Thomas  overcame  Critten- 
den  and  Zollicoffer,  January  19,  1862,  and  on  February 
6th,  Commodore  Foote  and  General  Grant  captured  Fort 
Henry,  on  the  Tennessee;  and  on  the  same  river,  Febru 
ary  16th,  Fort  Donelson  surrendered  with  ten  thousand 
men.  February  8th,  General  Burnside  and  Commodore 
Goldsborough  captured  Roanoke  Island,  North  Carolina, 
with  three  thousand  prisoners.  This  victory  wras  jubi 
lantly  celebrated  in  Rhode  Island,  and  on  February  13th 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  39 

our  regiment,  with  gleaming  standard  and  guidons,  and 
glistening  sabres,  marched  into  Providence  to  swell  and 
share  the  loyal  joy.  The  victors  of  Roanoke  Island  cap 
tured  Newbern,  N.  C.,  March  14th.  General  Curtis  won 
his  victory  at  Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas,  March  8th,  and  Cap 
tain  Worden,  with  the  Monitor,  dealt  his  blow  on  the 
ram  Merrimac,  March  9th.  Thus  opened  the  guns  and 
began  the  movements  of  the  great  contending  armies  for 
the  year.  \Ve  were  daily  expecting  that  our  sabres  would 
be  summoned  to  the  front. 


40  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [Maich, 


CHAPTER    III. 

ON     TO    WASHINGTON. 
MARCH,  1862. 

T  last  the  bugles  blew  the  "assembly  call"  for 
announcing  the  "order"  just  received  from  the 
Capital:  "Report  the  command  immediately  in  Wash 
ington."  What  a  wave  of  patriotic  excitement  rolled 
over  the  barracks.  What  hurrying  to  and  fro  of  officers 
and  men.  What  a  swarming,  humming,  human  hive 
was  Camp  Arnold.  Friends  poured  in  with  final  gifts, 
and  to  utter  half-speechless,  tearful  farewells.  Wagons 
were  speedily  packed  with  arms,  baggage,  rations  and 
forage;  barracks  were  quickly  emptied;  the  great  regi 
mental  guidon  was  run  down  and  packed,  and  the  troop 
guidons  were  ready  to  fall  into  column  for  our  forward 
march  from  the  sight  of  our  homes  to  the  smoke  of  the 
field. 

March  12,  1862.  With  only  two  hours'  notice,  our 
troops  of  the  third  battalion  were  off  for  Providence, 
where  they  took  rail,  in  about  thirty  cars,  to  Groton, 
Conn.,  and  thence  by  steamer  and  rail  via  New  York, 
Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  to  Washington.  We  were 
too  heavy  a  command  to  be  transported  together.  The 
first  and  second  battalions  left  Providence  March  14th,  in 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  41 

three  trains  of  thirty  cars  each — ninety  cars — one  detach 
ment  going  via  Groton  and  steamer  to  New  York  ;  the 
remainder,  in  two  detachments,  via  Hartford  and  New 
Haven,  spending  the  rainy  night  without  sleep  on  the 
rails,  reaching  New  York  in  the  morning. 

March  loth.  Marching  across  the  city,  in  the  mud  and 
rain,  we  joined  our  other  detachment,  and  filled  two 
large  steamers  for  Amboy.  All  was  excitement  along 
our  route  from  our  home  camp,  in  cities  and  towns  and 
hamlets.  Flags,  handkerchiefs,  adieus  and  tears  were 
abundant  in  Providence  as  we  moved  out.  The  fatigue 
of  preparation  for  departure,  the  solicitude  of  leaving  kin 
and  friends,  the  labor  of  loading  and  care  of  guarding 
our  horses,  with  loss  of  sleep,  and  a  thorough  drenching 
in  the  rain,  made  this  beginning  of  our  movement  to  the 
front  readily  remembered.  March  15th  was  passed  on 
steamers  and  the  rail  from  Amboy  to  Camden,  as  the 
heavy  storm  still  continued. 

On  the  morning  of  March  16th  we  reached  Philadel 
phia,  and  were  most  kindly  furnished  with  refreshments — 
coffee,  bread  and  meat — at  the  famous  Cooper  Shop  Vol 
unteer  Refreshment  Saloon,  a  place  tenderly  and  grate 
fully  remembered  by  even  hundreds  of  regiments,  and 
for  which  Philadelphia  deserves  lasting  praise.  Leaving 
"  the  city  of  brotherly  love,"  in  monster  trains,  we  soon 
found  the  road  burdened  with  similar  army-laden  trains 
pressing  on  to  swell  the  army  front.  By  these  we  were 
delayed  at  Perryville  for  some  hours,  and  had  a  glance  at 
camps  of  guarding  cavalry,  and  quantities  of  war  mate 
rial  and  stores  waiting  for  transportation. 

Leaving  Havre  de  Grace  at  six  in  the  evening,  we 
reached  semi-loyal  Baltimore  at  nine,  and  unloading, 
save  our  horses  and  baggage,  marched  through  the 
glum  city  in  the  solemn  stillness  of  night,  receiving  a 


42  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

soldiers'  lunch  at  the  hands  of  the  Union  Relief  Associa 
tion. 

Sargent's  journal  reads  :  "All  along  our  route  through 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  women  and  youth,  as  well  as 
men,  would  flock  to  the  doors,  waving  for  us  handker 
chiefs  and  aprons.  Men  working  in  the  fields  would 
drop  their  implements  and  wave  their  hats  in  the  air. 
As  the  train  was  passing  Perryville,  a  patriotic  young 
lady  appeared  with  an  apron  of  stars  and  stripes.  Said 
one  of  the  boys  :  '  That's  the  flag  we  are  going  to  fight 
under. '  She  replied  :  '  You  can't  fight  under  this  one. ' ': 

We  now  began  to  snuff  the  tainted  air  of  secession. 
As  Baltimore  was  very  largely  the  wholesale  and  retail 
trading  town  for  northern  and  eastern  Virginia,  her 
merchants  and  traders,  who  controlled  the  sentiment  of 
the  city,  led  her  into  strong  sympathy  with  her  slave- 
holding  and  seceding  patrons.  This  was  the  natural 
philosophy  of  "Touch  my  purse,  touch  me;"  the  too 
common  philosophy  of  mankind.  Knowing  how  Massa 
chusetts  troops  had  been  treated,  we  marched  through 
the  city  fully  armed.  All  around  us  reserve  and  sus 
picion  were  apparent. 

Near  midnight,  thoroughly  fatigued,  we  were  packed, 
even  to  field  officers,  in  box  cars  and  on  half-covered  flats, 
where  "nature's  sweet  restorer"  might  never  venture. 
With  snail  pace,  and  frequent  halts,  since  the  road 
groaned  with  trains,  we  urged  our  weary  advance,  peer 
ing  out  in  the  darkness  upon  the  line  of  Federal  sentinels 
who  guarded  the  track.  Our  discomforts  were  riot  a 
little  aggravated  by  sympathy  for  our  horses  suffering 
from  want  of  forage  and  water.  Our  active  and  efficient 
guide,  as  master  of  transportation,  was  Major  Samuel  P. 
Sanford,  of  Governor  Sprague's  staff. 

March  17th.     With  the  morning,  we  reached  the  Xa- 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  43 

tional  Capital,  without  loss  of  beasts  or  property,  but 
seriously  numbed  by  the  storms  of  three  days  and  nights, 
and  the  want  of  sleep,  yet  strangely  animated  by  the 
martial  scenes  and  sounds  that  on  all  sides  saluted  us. 

Washington,  with  its  surrounding  districts,  was  now 
little  else  than  one  vast  war  camp,  though  General  Mc- 
Clellan,  with  his  army,  had  just  departed  for  the  Penin 
sula  in  his  memorable  movement  towards  Eichmond. 
General  Lander  had  pushed  back  the  Confederates  on  the 
upper  Potomac,  and  General  Banks  was  advancing  into 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Discovering  that  they  were 
about  to  be  flanked,  the  rebels,  under  General  Johnston, 
had  just  evacuated  their  lines  of  forts  in  the  vicinity  of 
Manassas.  As  the  Union  army  was  in  motion,  .troops 
were  pressing  to  the  front  from  all  the  Northern  and 
Middle  States.  At  this  time  the  Federal  armies,  in  all, 
must  have  numbered  more  than  five  hundred  thousand 
men.  The  Confederates  counted  about  four  hundred 
thousand  in  arms.  Ours  was  the  difficult  and  critical 
task  of  advance  and  attack.  Theirs  was  the  easier,  safer 
labor  of  defense  on  their  own  occupied  fields  and  hills. 
We  were  full  of  courage.  They  were  full  of  assurance. 

Our  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  cavalry  force  under 
Brigadier-General  G.  Stoneman,  then  Chief  of  Cavalry 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  entered  the  recently 
vacated  barracks  of  the  Sixth  Regular  Cavalry,  about  a 
mile  east  of  the  Capitol  and  near  the  Congressional  Bury 
ing  Ground.  Here  we  found  one  troop  of  the  Sixth, 
that  remained  for  a  few  days  in  their  preparation  for 
duty.  Our  rest  here  was  brief ;  only  long  enough  to 
make  up  our  full  quota  of  horses.  Renewed  drill  was  at 
once  commenced.  Similar  activity  was  witnessed  in  the 
multitude  of  camps  around  us  and  throughout  adjacent 
regions.  Bugles,  drums,  fifes,  flags,  guidons  ;  reports  of 


44  SABRES  AXD  SPURS.  [March, 

arms  ;  the  rush  of  horsemen  ;  the  wheeling  of  artillery  ; 
the  maneuvering  of  squads,  squadrons,  battalions  and 
regiments ;  the  dashing  hither  and  yon  of  aids,  quarter 
masters,  surgeons  and  field  officers,  gave  to  the  District 
of  Columbia  a  most  lively  but  serious  aspect,  in  strange 
contrast  with  its  proper  air  of  legislation.  Grim  war 
looked  in  upon  us  from  every  side.  We  keenly  realized 
that  stern  and  perilous  work  lay  before  us.  However, 
faith  in  the  right,  and  hope  in  a  great  cause,  looked 
through  the  gloom  and  revealed  the  heights  of  victory. 
Often  cheerfulness  and  even  hilarious  mirth  entered  our 
narrow  and  dark  war  barracks  ;  for  man  was  made  to 
laugh,  as  well  as  to  mourn.  We  were  constantly  anima 
ted  with  the  consciousness  that  our  work  had  to  do  with 
the  life  of  the  nation  and  the  destiny  of  the  continent, 
and  was  under  the  eyes  of  all  nations  ;  and,  what  was 
more,  under  the  eye  of  God. 

Here  in  Washington,  as  in  Camp  Arnold,  Colonel 
Law  ton  magnified,  as  was  necessary,  in  the  eyes  of  all 
the  officers  the  information  and  authority  of  the  "  Army 
Regulations."  Our  Quartermaster  will  remember,  with 
his  characteristic  smile,  how  his  questionings  were  met 
with  the  grave  reply,  "  Read  the  Regulations." 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  45 


CHAPTER    IV. 

RESCUE    OF    DEAD     BODIES. 
MARCH,  1862. 

|UR  first  entrance  upon  the  soil  of  Virginia  was 
two  days  after  our  arrival  at  the  Capital,  and  in 
the  discharge  of  a  very  tender  duty.  Not  regarding 
secession  soil  as  sacred,  we  were  unwilling  that  our  mar 
tyred  dead  of  the  First  and  Second  Infantry  Regiments 
of  Rhode  Island,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July 
21,  1861,  should  remain  in  the  rude  graves  into  which 
they  were  cast  by  rebel  hands.  They  were  lying  in 
trenches  and  side  graves  on  the  gory  field  where  they 
fell,  about  forty  miles  west  of  the  Capital.  The  Con 
federate  army  had  just  fallen  back  from  Manassas  to  the 
line  of  the  Rappahannock,  though  their  scouts  still 
infested  and  threatened  the  region  just  abandoned.  As 
yet  the  Federal  troops  had  advanced  only  to  Fairfax 
Court  House. 

Governor  Sprague,  now  in  Washington,  caring  for  the 
Rhode  Island  soldiers  and  aiding  the  Federal  Govern 
ment,  obtained  consent  of  the  War  Department  to  select 
a  detachment  from  our  command  to  accomplish  the 
sacred  object  of  which  we  speak.  We  gave  him  sixty 
picked  men  from  Troop  D,  under  Captain  Gould.  He 


46  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

elected  for  his  staff,  on  the  expedition,  Colonel  Olney 
Arnold  and  Hon.  Tristam  Burgess,  of  Rhode  Island, — 
then  in  Washington, — Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  Sayles, 
Major  R.  C.  Anthony,  Surgeon  J.  B.  Greeley,  and  Chap 
lain  F.  Denison.  Major  Anthony  had  charge  of  the 
detachment  and  the  accompanying  train  of  wagons.  Mr. 
J.  Richardson,  who  was  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  acted 
as  our  guide.  Two  baggage  wagons  carried  forage,  ra 
tions,  and  empty  coffins.  The  Governor  had  a  private 
two-horse  wagon,  with  supplies  for  his  staff,  under  the 
management  of  his  private  secretary. 

March  19th.  We  left  Washington  at  five  o'clock  P. 
M.,  while  the  clouds  were  making  ready  copious  showers 
for  us,  that  we  might  have  a  fair  experience  of  Virginia 
roads  and  fields  in  the  months  of  spring.  Crossing  Long- 
Bridge  at  six  o'clock,  we  pressed  on  by  the  principal  road 
towards  Fairfax  Court  House.  As  the  winter  was  scarcely 
passed,  and  the  rain  was  now  descending,  the  free  soil  of 
Virginia  quite  equalled  the  tenacity  and  depth  of  our 
"  free  soil"  sentiments.  But  we  had  not  yet  reached  the 
subsoil.  However,  our  horses  were  good,  and  we  were 
1'ivsh  in  muscle.  The  roads  were  literally  horrible,  and 
delays  to  our  train  were  inevitable.  Pressing  forward 
till  midnight,  the  Governor  and  his  staff  reached  Fairfax 
Court  House,  where  General  L.  Blenker's  brigade,  hold 
ing  the  Federal  front,  was  bivouacked,  in  the  rain  and 
without  tents.  The  remainder  of  our  party,  wet,  weary, 
and  retarded  by  the  wagons,  were  obliged  to  halt  and 
bivouac  in  the  deep  darkness,  seven  miles  back  on  the  road. 
The  soldiers  occupied  the  grand  apartments  of  nature. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  wooed  soldierly  dreams  on  an 
old  unhinged  door,  wrapped  in  a  dripping  blanket.  At 
General  Blenker's  headquarters,  in  a  crazy  old  house, 
the  Governor  and  his  staff  received  field  hospitalities. 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  47 

The  General's  boots  served  the  Chaplain  as  a  pillow;  the 
soft  floor  was  his  bed.  Others  found  similar  ease.  The 
log  fire  was  a  felt  blessing-  to  our  feet.  Our  unsheltered 
horses  shivered  in  the  storm.  The  tough  German  soldiers 
around  us  fed  liberally  their  camp  fires,  and  demurely 
smoked  their  pipes  of  tobacco  and  philosophy. 

March  20th.  Through  continuing  rain,  that  had  al 
ready  swollen  the  streams  and  flooded  the  roads,  we 
advanced  to  Centreville,  where,  from  the  stress  of  storm, 
we  took  shelter  in  desolate  houses  and  the  deserted  log 
barracks  of  rebel  regiments;  for  the  town  had  been  a 
part  of  the  camps  of  the  Confederates  during  the  winter. 
Now  all  was  ruin,  and  only  a  few  of  the  old  inhabitants 
lingered  around  their  homes.  In  front  of  the  place  were 
six  well  constructed  earth  forts,  connected  by  good 
trenches  and  rifle-pits.  In  some  of  the  embrasures  the 
rebels  had  mounted  painted  logs,  like  cannon,  looking 
defiance  towards  Washington.  In  one  of  them  was 
mounted  the  smoke  stack  of  an  old  locomotive.  These 
were  the  Quaker  guns  that  awed  McClellan.  On  riding 
into  these  forts  we  found  but  one  gun  platform  marred 
by  artillery  wheels.  Beauregard,  as  his  works  in  and 
around  Manassas  testified,  was  a  splendid  engineer;  but 
neither  the  Confederacy  nor  England  supplied  him  with 
the  guns  he  expected. 

In  and  around  Centreville  we  found  the  log  barracks 
of  thirteen  secession  regiments.  They  were  of  round 
timber,  laid  in  mud  mortar,  and  roofed  with  slabs  and 
puncheons:  wooden  pins  being  used  for  fastenings,  even 
to  the  doors  and  latches.  Dead  horses  lay  thickly  around 
the  camps  and  by  the  road  side;  we  counted  twenty  in 
one  spot.  Great  must  have  been  the  scarcity  of  forage. 
The  town  was  stripped  and  peeled.  The  Chaplain  paid 
fifty  cents  to  a  poor  man  for  a  dozen  ears  of  shriveled 


48  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [March, 

corn  for  his  horse.  Fences  were  gone;  buildings  were 
plundered;  fields  were  scathed,  and  even  the  forests  were 
hewn  down.  Pen  may  not  depict  the  desolation  wrought 
by  the  armies  that  had  here  encamped.  The  rebels  had 
been  gone  from  the  place  only  a  week. 

We  were  now  beyond  the  Federal  lines,  but  in  the 
evening,  troops  of  cavalry  came  up  to  hold  the  place. 
The  storm  compelled  us  to  tarry  till  the  next  morning. 
The  Chaplain  entered  the  desolate  Episcopal  Church, 
preached  a  short  sermon,  and  offered  a  prayer;  the  exer 
cises  being  less  ritualistic  and  pro-slavery  than  had  been 
hitherto  popular  within  the  walls.  In  the  house  of  Dr. 
Alexander,  where  we  obtained  plain  refreshments — hoe- 
cake  and  meat,  for  which  we  liberally  paid — we  found,  in 
a  sofa  that  we  tried  to  use  as  a  bed,  a  stout  sabre  and 
trappings,  ready  for  a  moment's  call.  The  moment  had 
come.  Of  course  Dr.  A.  was  a  Union  man,  as  Union 
forces  were  now  in  the  town.  Necessity  is  often  a  virtue. 

March  21st.  Leaving  Centre ville  early,  we  dashed  on, 
outside  the  Federal  lines,  through  sloughs  and  gulches, 
over  disrupted  corduroy  roads  and  broken  timber  bridges, 
through  fields  and  forests,  as  we  could  pick  a  possible 
way,  to  Cub  Knn,  a  few  miles  above  Blackburn's  Ford, 
and  found  the  run  overflowing  its  banks  and  utterly 
impassable.  A  courier  from  General  Banks  was  on  the 
opposite  shore,  but  could  not  pass.  We,  deflecting  to 
the  right,  passed  through  ruined  forests  and  evacuated 
rebel  camps,  up  the  stream  till  we  reached  a  hopeful 
ford  where  the  river  was  but  three  hundred  feet  broad 
and  ten  feet  deep  in  the  middle,  but  running  with  great 
velocity.  We  had  no  time  for  hesitancy;  our  faces  were 
for  Bull  Run  battle  field.  Surgeon  Greeley  was  the  first 
to  swim  the  swift,  cold  stream,  followed  by  his  orderly, 
who  took  over  the  end  of  joined  lariat  ropes  borrowed 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  '49 

from  our  saddles,  and  to  the  extremity  of  which  was 
attached  a  large  picket  rope  found  near  by  in  the  debris 
of  a  Georgia  regiment.  The  next  swimmer  was  Hon.  T. 
Burgess,  followed  by  the  detached  lead  horses  from  one 
of  our  wagons.  These  were  attached  to  the  further  end 
of  the  picket  rope,  while  the  hither  end  was  tied  to  the 
neap  of  the  wagon  with  the  wheel  horses.  Now,  with 
shout  and  whip,  the  spans  on  both  sides  of  the  river  were 
put  to  their  best  metal.  Up  the  bank  went  the  leaders; 
into  the  river  plunged  the  wheel  horses  and  wagon. 
That  was  animated  and  exciting  swimming.  The  oppo 
site  bank  was  reached  without  loss.  Then  in  dashed  the 
Governor  and  staff  and  troop.  Only  one  man  was  un 
horsed  in  the  torrent,  but  he  and  his  beast  were  rescued. 
We  always  regarded  this  cold  Virginia  bath  as  a  fair 
initiation  into  field  service. 

Starting  on  our  way,  we  think  there  was  some  good 
riding  done  to  shake  off  the  chills  of  Cub  Eun.  Reach 
ing  the  Warren  ton  Turnpike,  the  Governor,  Colonel 
Arnold,  Mr.  Burgess,  Surgeon  Greeley  and  the  Chaplain 
tried  the  best  speed  of  their  animals.  Mud  and  small 
stones  flew  merrily  to  the  rear.  Some  thought  the  ration 
of  whisky,  medically  administered  before  swimming  the 
run,  had  something  to  do  with  this  speed.  As  it  was, 
one  soldier  did  not  rally  from  vthe  cold  shock  of  the 
stream. 

Reaching  the  Stone  Bridge  at  Bull  Run,  we  found  it 
had  been  blown  up  by  the  retreating  Confederates. 
Turning  to  the  right,  up  the  stream,  we  advanced,  over 
fields  and  through  woods,  to  the  ford  nearly  opposite 
Sudley  Church,  where  we  crossed,  barely  wetting  our 
girths.  The  raccoons  in  this  region  had  not  all  followed 
the  secession  retreaters,  for  we  counted  the  pelts  of  seven 
drying  on  the  side  of  a  barn. 
5 


50  -SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

Now  beyond  the  Federal  lines,  we  moved  cautiously 
and  together.  Passing  Sudley  Church,  into  which  some 
spurred  their  horses  even  to  the  pulpit,  we  hurried  on 
to  the  centre  of  Bull  Run  battle  field,  and  gazed  for  a 
moment  with  intense  curiosity  upon  the  torn  acres, 
scarred  trees,  and  rude  graves.  Meanwhile,  our  guide, 
Mr.  Richardson,  wras  making  ready  to  open  certain  graves 
near  the  field,  containing  some  of  the  bodies  we  sought, 
of  which  he  had  knowledge,  as  he  was  present  after  the 
battle  and  knew  of  the  burials.  These  graves  were  on 
the  north  of  the  battle  field,  in  a  ravine,  and  near  the 
road  leading  from  Sudley  Church.  Here  were  buried 
Colonel  John  S.  Slocum  and  Major  Sullivan  Ballou. 
While  the  work  of  exhumation  was  going  on,  the  Gov 
ernor  and  certain  of  his  staff,  having  visited  the  cabin  of 
Mr.  Mathew,  and  also  a  plantation  mansion,  learned 
from  the  colored  people  that  some  of  the  dead  bodies 
had  been  exhumed  and  barbarously  treated  by  the  Con 
federate  army. 

Hurrying  back  to  the  glen,  we  found  the  coffin  and 
body  of  Colonel  Slocum  uninjured  and  easily  recognized. 
But  on  opening  the  grave  of  Major  Ballou  we  found 
neither  coffin  nor  body,  and  the  grave  itself  bore  witness 
of  disturbance  and  violence.  Following  the  report  and 
steps  of  a  negro,  down  the  glen  a  short  distance,  among 
the  large  pines  and  oaks,  we  were  horrified  by  discovering 
ashes,  dead  coals  and  brands,  and  in  these  the  bones  of 
a  human  body,  save  the  head.  As  was  proved,  a  Georgia 
regiment,  that  had  suffered  in  the  battle  from  the  fire  of 
the  Rhode  Island  troops,  had  exhumed  the  body  of 
Major  Ballou,  supposing  it  to  be  that  of  Colonel  Slocum, 
beheaded  it,  denuded  it,  and  burned  what  remained. 
Words  may  not  describe  the  indignation  revealed  in  the 
face  of  the  Governor,  and  of  all  who  gazed  upon  that 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  51 

rifled  grave  and  those  bones  protruding  from  the  ashes 
and  dead  coals.  Was  this  the  Southern  chivalry  that  we 
were  to  meet  with  ourselves  ? 

Sacredly  were  these  bones  collected,  and  also  the 
clothes,  identified  as  belonging  to  Major  Ballon,  that 
lay  untorn  by  the  place  of  burning.  In  further  proof  of 
the  beheading,  the  under-clothes  were  found  with  the 
neck  band  buttoned,  while  the  wrists  were  unbuttoned. 
Xo  part  of  the  skull,  not  even  a  tooth,  was  discernible 
after  searching  the  ashes.  All  the  remaining  bones  of  the 
body  were  found  and  gathered.  Placing  these  in  a  coffin, 
and  also  the  body  of  Colonel  Slocum  in  a  casket,  we 
returned  to  the  crest  of  the  hill  on  the  margin  of  the 
battle  field,  and  made  arrangements  to  remain  till  the 
following  morning,  for  our  work  was  not  yet  complete. 
We  continued  our  search  for  the  dead,  and  found  the 
trenches  containing  them  in  a  concave  portion  of  the 
field,  very  wet,  near  the  log  cabin  of  Mr.  Mathew. 

For  the  night,  most  of  our  men  found  a  shelter  in  a 
house  near  the  gory  field.  Our  horses  stood  out  in  the 
wind  and  the  rain,  that  had  returned.  Seventeen  of  us 
accepted  the  roof  and  hospitalities  of  Mr.  Mathew. 
Eating  his  hoe-cake  and  drinking  his  aromatic  rye  coffee, 
we  lay  down  on  his  cabin  floor,  with  our  soaked  feet  to 
the  log  fire.  The  Governor  and  his  staff  laughed  at  their 
military  plight,  till  short  and  strange  dreams  came  over 
them. 

In  the  morning  (March  22d)  we  had  calls  from  Mr. 
Newman  and  Mr.  Van  Pelt,  old  farmers,  who  told  dole 
ful  stories  of  their  experiences  and  losses.  Mr.  Mathew's 
log  cabin  had  been  riddled  by  the  bullets  of  the  battle, 
as  it  stood  on  the  edge  of  the  fiery  field.  Around  it; 
were  Federal  and  Confederate  graves ;  of  the  latter  we 
counted  seventeen  on  the  ground  swept  by  the  Rhode 


52  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

Island  artillery.  Adjacent  woods  were  cut  and  splin 
tered  by  missiles.  There  lay  the  bones  of  the  horse  shot 
under  Governor  Sprague,  and  Surgeon  Greeley  obtained 
the  fatal  bullet. 

We  immediately  opened  the  muddy  pits  containing  the 
bodies  of  the  brave  dead,  which  were  packed,  like  cord 
wood,  into  the  pits,  with  faces  downward — meant  as  a 
mark  of  indignity — and  scarcely  covered  with  earth.  On 
the  top  of  the  dead  in  the  pit  we  opened,  lay  an  unex- 
ploded  rebel  shell,  which  the  Chaplain  secured  and  sent 
to  Rhode  Island.  We  laid  bare  eight  bodies,  when  we 
reached  that  of  Captain  Levi  Tower,  readily  recognized. 
This  we  at  once  deposited  in  a  coffin.  The  grave  of 
Lieutenant  Prescott  could  not  be  identified.  Nor  could 
we  distinguish  the  bodies  of  our  private  soldiers. 

While  opening  the  graves  and  pits,  rebel  scouts  and 
spies,  in  the  disguise  of  farmers,  appeared  in  the  vicinity. 
But  we  were  on  our  guard.  Once  our  sentinels  fired  an 
alarm,  which  brought  our  troop  to  the  crown  of  the  field 
ready  for  a  dash.  Of  course  we  gathered  memorials  of 
the  battle,  and  relics  from  rebel  camps.  In  the  camp  of 
a  cavalry  regiment,  near  Centreville,  we  picked  up  a 
brown  paper  envelope  on  which  was  printed  the  follow 
ing  effusion  : 

"On!  on!  to  the  rescue  ;  the  vandals  are  coming  ; 
Go  meet  them  with  bayonet,  sabre  and  spear, 
Drive  them  back  to  the  desolate  land  they  are  leaving  : 
Go!  trusting  in  God,  you'll  have  nothing  to  fear." 

As  things  looked  around  us  then,  and  for  the  next 
three  years,  in  Fauquier  County,  "  the  desolate  land"  of 
the  stanza  was  where  the  joke  came  in. 

Our  work  on  the  battle  field  ended,  we  turned  our  faces, 
about  noon,  towards  Washington.  Dashing  again  across 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  53 

the  runs,  over  plains  and  ruined  plantations,  we  passed 
Centreville  and  reached  Fairfax  Court  House  about  dark. 
We  only  paused  to  care  for  our  hungry  and  lame  horses. 
With  the  night,  came  another  heavy  rain.  By  the  Alex 
andria  and  Columbia  roads  we  pushed  forward,  till,  after 
fourteen  hours  in  the  saddle,  over  full  forty  miles,  wet, 
weary  and  hungry,  we  entered  our  camp,  east  of  the 
Capitol,  at  two  o'clock  Sunday  morning,  (March  23d) 
bringing  with  us  the  precious  dead.  Our  exhaustion  will 
be  understood  when  we  state  that  the  Chaplain,  wet  and 
chilled,  was  taken  from  his  saddle. 

On  the  same  day  Colonel  Lawton,  with  his  staff  and  a 
squadron,  escorted  the  bodies  to  Camp  Brightwood,  and 
gave  them,  with  fitting  ceremony,  to  the  Second  Regi 
ment  Rhode  Island  Volunteers,  from  whose  ranks  they 
fell.  The  regiment  received  them  with  touching  funeral 
honors.  The  Governor  and  many  friends  were  present 
at  the  solemnities.  Due  thanks  were  rendered  to  the 
Governor  and  his  staff,  and  to  Troop  D,  for  their  venture 
some  but  successful  mission.  The  bodies  were  soon  sent 
to  Rhode  Island. 

In  the  expedition  we  lost  but  one  horse,  though  sev 
eral  were  injured.  The  health  of  our  men  continued 
good.  William  Brown  (Troop  G,)  died  of  congestive 
fever,  March  20th,  and  was  suitably  buried  the  next  day, 
at  the  Soldiers'  Home. 


.->* 


54  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 


CHAPTER    V. 

FORWARD    TO    THE    FRONT. 
APRIL,  1862. 

ARCH  30th.  We  had  orders  to  make  ready  to 
move  to  the  front,  in  eastern  Virginia,  on  scout 
duty. 

March  31st.  We  were  notified  by  the  War  Depart 
ment  that  the  name  of  our  command  was  changed  to 
First  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Cavalry :  a  step  not  relished 
by  our  White  Mountain  men  for  obvious  reasons,  nor 
exactly  agreeable  to  any  of  us;  for  we  gloried  in  the 
breadth  and  character  of  our  original  banner.  But 
reasons  of  state  overruled  our  preferences.  At  the  same 
time  we  were  assigned  to  the  Fifth  Corps,  d'  Armee, 
under  General  Banks,  and  brigaded  under  General  J.  P. 
Hatch.  Commanded  to  move  with  light  baggage  and 
no  tents,  save  little  oil-cloth  ponchos  on  our  saddles,  all 
unnecessary  property  was  stored  in  Washington.  Sur 
geon  Greeley  and  Chaplain  Denison  were  summoned 
before  the  Joint  Committee  of  the  two  Houses  of  Con 
gress  to  testify  in  regard  to  the  beheading  and  burning 
of  the  body  of  Major  Ballou. 

Of  our  camp  east  of  the  Capitol,  Captain  Baker  thus 
speaks:  "  Company  drills  were  observed  twice  a  day. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  55 

Many  will  remember  the  Laughable  mishaps  connected 
with  the  breaking  and  training  of  green  and  vicious 
horses  by  some  green  and  unphilosophical  men.  A  beast,, 
sharply  touched  by  the  spurs,  would  dash  from  the  ranks, 
with  his  rider  holding  by  both  hands  to  the  reins,  or 
mane,  or  neck,  and  clasping  more  tightly  with  his  limbs, 
till  his  spurs  added  new  jump  and  speed  to  his  military 
departure.  The  cavalier,  soon  unhorsed,  had  a  good 
foot  run  to  secure  his  fugitive  animal.  Some  stubborn: 
beasts  would  stand  fast;  some  kick  out,  bringing  their 
heels  in  close  proximity  to  the  head  of  a  rear  neighbor; 
and  some  would  strike  at  the  foot  of  the  rider.  Some  of 
these  drill  comedies  and  tragedies  would  have  answered 
for  a  circus." 

All  being  ready  to  move,  save  Troop  Gr,  not  fully 
mounted,  marching  orders  reached  us  on  the  3d  of  April. 

April  4th.  Our  standard  was  lifted ;  our  guidons  drawn 
in  column;  our  band  brought  to  the  head  of  the  com 
mand;  our  farewells  to  surrounding  troops  spoken;  and 
forward  we  moved  to  a  quick,  inspiring  air.  Our  orders 
required  us  to  move  with  all  possible  celerity  to  Warren- 
ton  Junction,  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad, 
and  report  to  General  Abercrombie,  then  confronting 
the  Confederates  on  the  banks  of  the  Rappahannock. 
Passing  the  Capitol,  and  through  Pennsylvania  avenue, 
and  over  Long  Bridge,  heartily  cheered  by  citizens  and 
troops,  we  formally  entered  rebellious  Virginia.  Our 
column  and  train  extended  a  full  mile,  and  with  stand 
ard,  guidons,  glittering  sabres  and  carbines,  headed  by  a 
superior  brass  band  with  polished  instruments,  presented 
a  beautiful  and  imposing  appearance.  Such  martial 
trains  necessarily  move  slowly.  At  dark  we  reached 
Fairfax  Court  House,  finding  the  place  empty  of  troops 
and  nearly  so  of  inhabitants. 


56  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

"  This  was  the  first  march  of  the  command  in  the 
enemy's  country.  A  new  feeling  of  awe  was  in  the 
breasts  of  all.  War  was  now  a  reality.  Danger  was 
before  ns.  We  were  to  meet  the  enemy  face  to  face. 
Our  camp  maneuvres  were  now  to  be  exchanged  for  the 
hostilities  of  the  field.  On  the  first  day's  march  only  a 
few  cavalry  men  were  seen;  yet  the  peril  seemed  greater 
than  it  did  afterwards  under  the  fire  of  the  heaviest 
artillery.  The  hardening  of  nerves  is  a  gradual  process. 
After  the  long  and  warm  march,  at  evening  it  began  to 
rain.  Camp  fires  would  not  burn  well,  and  hard  bread 
was  the  only  food  we  could  command  without  cooking. 
We  however  found  a  Yankee  in  town  with  a  cookie  and 
beer  stand,  but  what  were  his  supplies  among  so  many?" 

We  quartered  in  all  parts  of  the  place.  Some  slept  in 
the  Court  House;  some  crept  hito  deserted  buildings; 
most  drew  their  blankets  and  ponchos  around  them  and 
lay  down  in  the  big  room  frescoed  with  dark  clouds  and 
sentinel  stars. 

April  5th.  With  the  early  morning,  "  Boots  and  Sad 
dles"  brought  us  into  column.  Still  it  rained,  but  we 
could  not  delay,  and  we  were  in  better  spirits  on  the 
march  than  shivering  in  a  peeled  secession  town.  Pass 
ing  Centre ville,  we  reached  Bull  Run,  above  Blackburn's 
Ford.  Encountering  slews,  sloughs,  torn  roads,  broken 
bridges,  and  miry  fields,  our  wagons  were  frequently 
stalled.  Fording  with  difficulty  Bull  Run,  climbing 
the  slopes,  floundering  through  ravines  and  over  miry 
plantations,  we  reached  the  melancholy  city — or  site 
rather — of  Manassas,  for  the  place  now  was  only  a  ruin, 
almost  everything  combustible  having  been  burned  by 
.the  retiring  Confederates.  Scarcely  the  skeleton  of  a 
building  remained. 

We  made  our  rude  bivouac  among  the  ruins,  brands 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  5T 

and  ashes.  As  night  settled  down,  Lieutenant  Capron 
came  up,  from  Alexandria,  with  forty  mule  teams  loaded 
with  supplies  for  the  army  front.  A  musical  time  we- 
had.  At  last,  lying  down  with  coats  and  blankets  around 
us,  we  looked  up  to  a  clear  sky  and  studied  astronomy 
till  gentle  Morpheus  dimmed  our  telescopes.  The  Chap 
lain  tied  his  horse  to  the  remains  of  a  huge  set  of  stocks 
in  what  had  been  a  prison  yard  ;  the  first  view  we  had 
had  of  such  a  relic  of  barbarism.  \Ve  dreamed  to  the 
music  of  braying  mules,  neighing  horses,  and  bugles  and 
drums  of  marching  and  halting  troops. 

Surrounding  the  place  were  numerous  specimens  of 
Beauregard's  skill  in  earthworks,  many  of  which  had 
timber  and  abattis ;  some  were  constructed  of  bags  of 
earth.  Here,  as  at  Centreville,  and  near  Blackburn's- 
Ford,  as  a  precaution  against  Federal  attack,  large  por 
tions  of  forest  had  been  felled  to  give  range  to  rebel 
cannon  (never  obtained)  and  to  expose  to  McClellan's 
scouts  the  painted  logs  in  the  embrasures. 

The  train  of  our  command  consisted  of  about  sixty 
wagons  of  forage,  ammunition  and  rations,  and  a  num 
ber  of  suggestive  ambulances.  Our  needed  guide  was  a 
Mr.  Allen,  a  United  States  detective,  familiar  with  the 
geography  of  the  country.  As  the  Confederates  tore  up 
the  railroad  track  in  their  retreat,  burning  bridges  and 
road  ties,  heating  and  bending  the  rails,  the  road  had  to- 
be  reconstructed  from  Bull  Run  bridge.  Engineers  and 
construction  parties  had  just  commenced  their  work. 
All  moving  troops  therefore  were  dependent  upon  their 
wagon  trains. 

April  Gth.  With  the  day,  the  bugles  roused  us  from 
the  ashes  and  charred  remains  of  Manassas,  to  gaze  again 
on  the  naked  chimney  stacks,  masses  of  wheel  tires  and 
iron  work  that  had  withstood  the  Confederate  conflagra- 


58  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [April, 

tion.  Singing  the  stanza  of  "the  desolate  land,"'  we 
hastened  from  the  scene.  Our  line  of  march  lay  nearly 
parallel  with  the  railroad,  on  its  southern  side,  by 
tortuous  by-roads,  over  fields  and  plantations,  through 
forests  and  creeks.  As  a  scout  of  rebel  cavalry,  the  day 
before,  attacked  a  party  on  this  route,  killing  one  and 
taking  several  prisoners,  we  moved  in  orderly  column, 
with  carbines  in  hand.  While  the  face  of  the  country 
was  beautiful,  in  the  intervales  and  sluices  we  had  the 
disgust  of  stalled  trains.  The  fording  of  Broad  Run  and 
Cedar  Creek  were  well-nigh  exploits  for  raw  troops  ;  we 
all  wore  drenched  and  bedaubed  garments. 

Everywhere  reigned  desolation  ;  fences  gone  ;  fields 
peeled  ;  houses  deserted.  Halting  in  a  forest,  we  were 
entertained  and  cheered  by  the  famous  ballad  composer 
and  singer,  who  had  visited  us  at  home  in  Camp  Arnold, 
Mr.  E.  W.  Locke.  After  his  full,  sweet  voice,  echoing 
among  the  oaks,  has  charmed  our  ears  and  animated  our 
column,  we  gladly  purchased  some  of  his  melodies  and 
bade  him  Godspeed  in  his  musical  mission  in  the  Federal 
armies. 

On  account  of  detentions,  we  were  at  last  obliged  to 
halt  and  bivouac  in  a  meadow  near  Weaverville,  while  a 
part  of  our  column  was  still  in  the  rear  assisting  and 
guarding  the  stalled  teams  at  Cedar  Creek.  The  cold 
night  air  in  our  meadow  bivouac  was  illumined,  not 
warmed,  by  huge  camp  tires,  fed  by  fences  and  logs. 
Some  of  us  crept  into  an  old  house  and  held  down  the 
floors  ;  one  troop  found  a  partial  shelter  in  a  half-ruined 
Methodist  Church,  in  the  margin  of  the  forest ;  most, 
however,  made  their  beds  in  the  sky-curtained  chamber. 
It  was  a  misty,  chilly,  comfortless  night.  As  we  were  al 
ready  on  a  part  of  the  Federal  front,  precautions  against 
the  bullets  and  sabres  of  rebel  scouts  required  many  of 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  59 

our  men  on  sentinel  duty,  and  gave  a  fitful  character  to 
the  dreams  of  such  as  attempted  to  sleep. 

April  7th.  In  the  cloudy,  chilly  morning  we  responded 
to  the  bugles  and  resumed  our  march,  urging  our  slow, 
difficult  way  through  woods  and  slews,  across  deep 
streams  and  soft-soiled  plantations.  About  noon  we 
reached  "Warren  ton  Junction  and  reported  to  General 
Abercrombie,  occupying  the  only  house  at  the  junction, 
and  were  ordered  to  encamp — minus  all  camp  materials — 
on  a  ridge  of  ungrassed  ground,  across  the  creek  at  the 
south  of  the  junction,  with  broken  forests  on  nearly  three 
sides  of  us.  Before  we  could  commence  our  bivouac,  it 
began  to  rain,  the  wind  blowing  from  the  north  and  east 
directly  from  the  mountains  distinctly  in  view.  Shortly 
it  commenced  to  snow.  Sad  discomforts  now  surrounded 
us,  weary,  as  we  were,  from  four  days  of  hard  marching 
and  loss  of  sleep.  Marvel  not  if  our  thoughts  turned 
towards  our  northern  homes. 

Our  rations  and  forage  were  exhausted.  The  supplies 
in  our  train  were  chiefly  for  the  troops  on  the  front. 
Not  having  tents,  we  extemporized,  as  best  we  could, 
shelters  of  poles  and  fences  covered  with  brush  and  our 
ponchos.  Beneath  these  we  dripped  and  shivered  in  our 
blankets.  *  Before  night  the  camping  ground  was  a  vast 
slough.  We  appropriately  named  the  bivouac  Camp 
Mud  ;  it  should  have  been  the  Slough  of  Despond. 

Prior  to  our  arrival,  rebel  scouts  were  near  the  place, 
and  there  had  been  a  dispute  of  arms.  The  First  Kegi- 
ment  Maine  Cavalry  came  up  during  the  afternoon  and 
bivouacked  in  a  forest  east  of  us,  if  possible  in  a  more 
sad  condition  than  ourselves.  A  few  camps  of  infantry 
and  light  artillery  were  in  sight  around  the  junction  ; 
hence  the  music  of  bugles  floated  among  the  oaks,  in  the 
dark  cold  storm,  like  songs  in  the  night. 


330  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

We  suffered  from  continuous  rain,  hail  and  snow  for 
three  days,  having  neither  sleep  nor  food,  save  in  the 
most  meagre  and  miserable  measure.  Warmth  and 
•shelter  were  impossible,  though  we  made  the  best  of 
huge  camp  fires  and  boughs  of  trees.  Our  horses  stood 
to  their  knees  in  mud,  sleet  and  water.  We  only  too 
keenly  sympathized  with  our  animals.  Ice  formed  in 
pools  and  creeks.  The  mountains  to  the  north  were 
capped  with  snow.  A  number  of  our  horses  died  from 
hunger  and  cold.  Before  the  storm  broke,  most  of  us 
were  fit  only  to  be  in  a  hospital.  Suitable  supplies  failed 
to  reach  us  on  account  of  the  broken  railroad.  Forever 
shall  we  remember  that  cold,  wet,  frozen,  shelterless, 
comfortless  camp.  Colonel  Lawton,  who  had  seen  ser 
vice  in  the  Regular  Army  and  endured  fatigues  in  the 
Seminole  Avar  in  Floridian  swamps,  affirmed  that  he  had 
never  before  experienced  such  privation  and  suffering. 
An  Indiana  regiment  of  infantry  near  us,  with  tents  and 
little  stoves,  allowed  that  in  the  preceding  winter  they 
had  known  no  greater  discomforts  than  during  this  three 
days'  storm. 

Our  circumstances  impelled  us  to  resort  to  foraging  ; 
an  art  in  which  some  developed  a  ready  talent,  while 
others  learned  with  reluctance.  For  this  kind  of  sup 
port,  one  of  the  command  had  a  ready  formula  of  phil- 
osphy,  that  "  those  who  get  up  a  party  must  entertain 
the  guests."  Fortunately  for  us,  the  unthrift  of  the 
Virginia  planters  had  left  some  of  the  wheat  of  the  pre 
ceding  year  in  stack  and  unthreshed,  and  the  rebel  army 
had  not  devoured  it.  From  miles  around  us  the  wheat 
and  hay — of  a  miserable  quality — were  detailed,  without 
written  order,  for  loyal  service.  Sometimes  the  carbines 
of  our  wet,  hungry  men  were  over-tempted  by  secession 
pigs  and  poultry.  While  our  horses  were  trying  to  keep 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  61 

alive  on  bundles  of  wheat,  and  our  sick  men  were  lying 
under  ponchos  on  pallets  of  wet  straw,  a  few  feathers 
were  nervously  flying  in  the  air  around  the  camp  fires, 
and  our  sick  men  were  first  remembered.  The  low  lands 
and  all  margins  of  creeks  and  runs  were  inundated.  At 
one  time  the  Maine  Cavalry  had  no  forage  for  two  days  ; 
they  also,  from  necessity,  made  special  drafts  upon  the 
country.  Nothing  was  wantonly  destroyed. 

While  enduring  these  privations  and  sufferings,  our 
hearts  were  greatly  cheered  by  the  news  of  the  capture 
(April  7th)  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  the  surrender 
(April  10th)  of  Island  No.  10,  on  the  Mississippi.  The 
swords  of  our  bold  Western  boys  were  cutting  their  way 
to  the  Gulf.  Drums,  bugles  and  huzzas  poured  their 
loyal  joy  around  the  junction  and  into  the  forests,  afford 
ing  a  SAveet  medicine  to  our  spirits  and  some  new  strength 
to  our  bodies.  New  England  and  the  grand  West  had 
but  one  heart  in  the  mighty  conflict. 


62  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 


CHAPTER    VI. 

SCOUTS    AND     SKIRMISHES. 
APRIL,  1862. 

IRIOR  to  our  arrival  at  Warrenton  Junction,  a  num 
ber  of  sick  officers  and  men  of  General  Blenkers 
command,  left  in  Warrenton,  were  robbed  by  rebel  cav 
alry,  the  leading  band  of  which,  commanded  by  the  son 
,of  the  Mayor  of  Warrenton,  was  still  roving  and  plun 
dering  in  that  region,  having  their  rendezvous  beyond 
the  city,  among  the  foot-hills  of  the  mountains.  In 
pursuit  of  this  chivalrous  band,  Colonel  Law  ton,  on  the 
eleventh  of  April,  left  the  junction  at  sunset,  with  seven 
squadrons  of  cavalry  and  a  regiment  of  infantry.  That 
night  scout,  through  muddy  forests,  broken  roads  and 
strange  hills,  would  fill  a  chapter,  as  fully  and  graphically 
told  by  our  commander — war  veteran  as  he  is — whose 
superior  imagination  is  a  happy  aid  to  his  retentive  mem 
ory.  The  wearied  force  returned  in  the  morning  (April 
12th),  bringing  with  them  many  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
found  in  the  little  rebel  city. 

On  the  same  day,  while  a  squad  of  a  New  York  regi 
ment,  just  arrived,  went  out  a  short  distance  after  straw, 
one  of  their  number  was  shot  by  rebel  cavalry  scouts,  and 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  63 

his  body  was  carried  off.  In  the  evening,  Major  Sanford 
led  a  squadron  of  our  command  in  a  second  night  ex 
pedition  to  Warrenton,  and  rescued  the  remaining  sick 
and  wounded  left  by  General  Blenker.  Still  the  heads 
of  the  mountains  were  white  with  snow. 

April  12th.  Captain  Baker  thus  writes  :  ""Welcome 
news  was  received  of  the  arrival  of  the  Paymaster.  To 
men  who  had  not  been  paid  in  six  long  months,  save  the 
small  sum  of  twenty  dollars  advanced  by  the  State  before 
leaving  for  the  field,  and  whose  families  were  left  with 
little  or  no  money,  this  long-looked-for  visit  was  cheer 
ing  indeed. 

"  April  13th.  The  Paymaster,  Major  J.  B.  M.  Potter, 
notwithstanding  it  was  Sunday,  commenced  paying  off 
the  regiment  to  the  first  of  March.  He  was  accompanied 
by  Paymaster-General  J.  C.  Knight,  Lieutenant  S.  R. 
Knight,  of  the  First  R.  I.  D.  M.,  lately  a  returned  pris 
oner  from  Richmond,  and  Major  Munroe,  Allotment 
Commissioner  of  Rhode  Island,  by  whom  the  men  sent 
home  most  of  their  pay.  It  was  cheering  to  see  familiar 
faces  from  our  own  loved  State.  On  the  fourteenth 
some  small  crumbs  of  comfort  from  home,  in  the  form 
of  letters,  reached  us  for  the  first  time  since  leaving 
Washington." 

The  supply  trains  could  come  only  to  Catlett's  Station, 
where  we  marched  to  be  paid.  A  daring  rebel,  reaching 
the  track  near  Manassas  and  endeavoring  to  tear  up 
again  the  rails,  was  shot  by  one  of  our  pickets  ;  a  rebel 
cavalry  man  at  the  same  time  was  captured  by  a  Pennsyl 
vania  troop.  .  Almost  every  day  we  had  little  excitements 
of  this  kind.  General  Abercrombie  called  out  his  brigade 
for  review  and  inspection  on  the  plains  and  rolling  lands 
south  of  our  position  ;  five  regiments  of  infantry,  two  of 
cavalry,  two  light  batteries.  The  affair  was  quite  respect- 


64  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

able,  considering  the  circumstances.  Some  additional 
lustre  would  have  been  lent  by  clean  shirts  and  boots, 
had  they  been  obtainable.  It  was  necessary  to  be  in  con 
stant  attitude  of  war,  as  often  to  the  south  and  west  of 
us  broke  the  thud  and  boom  of  artillery. 

April  15th.  The  Maine  Cavalry,  on  a  scout  near  the 
Eappahannock,  were  fired  upon  by  a  rebel  battery,  sup 
ported  by  infantry  and  cavalry.  Indeed,  we  seldom 
lacked  for  music  of  genuine  service.  Escaping  slaves 
were  almost  constantly  pressing  through  the  lines,  dodg 
ing  through  dense  forests  and  swimming  the  swollen 
rivers,  sometimes  barely  escaping  Confederate  bullets. 
A  moral  spectacle  it  was — a  real  prophecy,  indeed — to  see 
these  poor,  destitute,  grateful  refugees  lying  at  night 
around  our  camp  fires  ;  the  first-fruits  of  a  coming  har 
vest.  Strange  and  thrilling  stories  they  told  of  the  house 
of  bondage,  and  of  the  perilous  paths  of  their  exodus. 

The  first  blood  drawn  from  our  regiment  by  the  rebels 
was  on  the  sixteenth  of  April.  A  squad,  under  Captain 
Whipple,  went  out  for  forage  and  a  little  scout  duty. 
When  about  three  miles  from  camp,  towards  the  south 
west,  near  Dr.  J.  G.  Beale's  house,  a  squad  of  near  thirty 
rebel  infantry,  concealed  in  the  mansion,  waiting  until 
our  men  were  within  eight  rods  of  them,  fired  three  vol 
leys,  wounding  Quartermaster-Sergeant  A.  W.  Sweet  in 
the  left  shoulder,  also  cutting  his  stirrup  and  wound 
ing  his  horse  in  the  left  eye.  Captain  Whipple's  horse 
received  two  wounds.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day,  while  our  reconnoitering  party,  (Troop  D)  under 
Major  Anthony,  were  near  the  banks  of  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  they  were  fired  upon  by  the  Confederates  from  the 
south  bank,  and  two  shots  took  effect  in  Orderly  Ser 
geant  Peterson's  horse.  The  powder  and  ball  dispute 
was  short  but  sharp.  Major  Anthony  brought  in  a  pris- 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  65 

oner  named  Robert  Willis.  A  reconnoissance  was  also 
made  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  to  Liberty,  about  nine 
miles  from  camp,  with  a  full  squadron.  Captain  Far- 
rington  brought  in  two  notable  prisoners — Dr.  Beale, 
whose  son  was  in  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry,  and  a  Mr. 
Clingen,  engaged  in  rebel  secret  service.  On  a  fo raging- 
expedition,  Captain  Farrington  learned  that  the  overseer 
of  the  Randolph  estate — a  plantation  of  twenty-five  hun 
dred  acres — to  check  the  fugacity  of  the  ebon-faced 
chattels,  locked  up  the  slave  children  every  night  as 
hostages  for  their  parents. 

While  the  above  mentioned  skirmishing  was  going  on, 
we  learned  that  about  two  hundred  armed  Confederates 
were  quite  near  us.  Supposing  these  might  be  the  van 
of  a  large  force,  General  Abercrombie,  on  the  sixteenth, 
ordered  his  command  to  be  ready  for  a  night  attack,  all 
sleeping  on  their  arms,  every  man  having  twenty  rounds 
of  ball  cartridges.  On  the  south  of  our  camp  a  Penn 
sylvania  battery  took  position  with' guns  ready  for  action. 
The  "gray  backs"  kept  out  of  our  reach. 

April  17th.  Elijah  B.  Bates,  (Troop  B)  a  faithful 
hospital  nurse,  who  had  been  sick  near  a  week  with  camp 
disease,  and  was  finally  brought  down  with  small-pox, 
died  in  our  little  hospital  by  the  side  of  the  camp;  and, 
on  the  next  day,  with  fitting  and  impressive  funeral  ser 
vices,  was  buried  on  a  knoll  at  the  southwest  of  our 
camp/  This  was  the  first  coffin  that  we  deposited  in 
that  wild,  war-scarred  region — a  solemn  act  to  us. 

On  the  day  of  this  funeral,  four  of  our  troops  (B,  D, 
K,  L,)  who  left  the  day  before  with  three  davs'  rations, 
with  two  light  batteries  and  parts  of  two  regiments  of 
infantry,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  below 
the  railroad  crossing,  had  a  dispute  with  about  eight 
thousand  rebels  on  the  right  bank.  The  action  lasted 
6* 


66  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [April, 

about  forty  minutes,  when  the  ' '  gray  backs  "  retired.  A 
rebel  shell  took  effect  in*  one  of  our  caissons.  On  the 
other  hand,  we  exploded  their  magazine.  We  might 
have  forded  the  river  and  brought  off  the  deserted  guns, 
if  we  had  had  sufficient  horses.  Lieutenant  Wyman, 
who  was  in  the  hottest  of  the  fray  behaving  with  great 
coolness,  afterwards  learned,  on  visiting  the  spot,  that  a 
number  of  Confederates  were  killed  by  the  exploding 
magazine,  and  that  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  fell  back 
towards  Richmond,  leaving  only  scattered  forces  of  horse 
to  watch  the  banks  of  the  river. 

Warrenton  Junction  was  neither  town  nor  village,  but 
simply  the  point  of  connection  of  the  Warrenton  road 
with  the  Orange  and  Alexandria.  The  latter  from  Cedar 
Creek  to  the  Rappahannock  was  in  utter  ruin  ;  rails  torn 
up,  heated  and  bent  like  ox-bows.  The  bridges  over 
creeks  and  river  were  in  ashes.  The  Warrenton  road, 
leading  ten  miles  up  to  the  little  rebel  city  seated  on  the 
first  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains,  was  unharmed,  but  was 
a  poor  thing  at  best.  Around  us  the  country,  like  the 
most  of  eastern  Virginia,  was  undulating,  rolling  fields 
and  intervales,  with  large  patches  of  handsome  forest. 
The  branch,  of  Cedar  Creek,  flowing  by  with  its  drab- 
colored^  mineral- tinctured  waters,  was  a  tributary  to  the 
Occoquan.  Some  of  the  springs  about  us  in  the  woods 
were  really  poisonous,  having  a  milky  hue.  No  rocks 
were  visible,  only  a  few  straggling,  soft,  red  cobble  stones. 
Fences  were  among  the  had  beens.  Daily  the  crash  of 
falling  oaks  and  hickories  mingled  with  the  music  of 

bugles. 

April  19th.  We  read  from  the  Chaplain's  "Notes": 
Few  of  the  comforts  of  home  appear  among  the  singu 
larities  and  austerities  of  camp  life  in  the  field.  Certain 
tents  (lately  drawn)  cover  the  heads  of  a  portion  of  the 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  67' 

officers.  .Your  "own  correspondent,"  in  consideration 
of  his  high  office  as  postmaster — a  vial  of  ink  and  cotton 
mail  bag,  but  no  stationery  or  stamps — enjoys  the  luxury 
of  an  A  tent,  six  by  seven  feet  at  the  base,  in  which  three 
cavaliers — two  of  them  sick — woo  martial  repose,  while 
a  sorrel  pony  is  picketed  in  front  as  a  guard  for  the  mud. 
Of  the  soldiers,  some  sleep  in  wagons,  some  under  a 
barricade  of  boxes,  some  under  arbors,  but  the  majority 
under  stick  frames  covered  with  ponchos  and  blankets- 
Generally  we  use  the  table  furniture  that  was  in  vogue  in 
Eden,  but  we  have  neither  the  fruits  nor  odors  of  Eden 
around  us,  only  the  trail  and  lures  of  the  serpent.  Our 
viands  are  crackers,  junk  and  coffee,  varied  with  hoe- 
cake  and  muddy  water.  If  simplicity  of  living  is  a 
virtue,  we  are  in  the  line  of  improvement.  Friends  at 
home,  in  ceiled  mansions  with  tapestried  floors,  would  be 
interested,  we  ween,  to  promenade  our  camp  and  look 
upon  shoulder-straps  coiled  down  and  snoring  in  half- 
roofed  nests  of  straw  and  leaves.  Variety  may  be  the- 
spice  of  life,  but  this  has  not  been  well  "prepared  for 
family  use." 

Under  date  of  April  22d,  the  "Notes"  read:  A. 
special  service  of  ours  is  picket  duty  during  the  storms- 
For  this,  about  twenty  men  are  detailed  daily  to  be  ready- 
To  go  out  miles  from  camp,  into  forests  and  along  the- 
creeks,  in  a  dark,  windy,  stormy  night,  and  keep  a  sharp 
lookout  for  rebel  scouts,  may  well  excite  remembrances 
of  home's  bright  hearth.  Yet  we  suffer  no  regrets  to> 
unnerve  us,  or  to  cloud  the  visions  of  the  future  ;  success 
and  honor  await  the  march  and  work  of  righteous  war- 
Hope  lends  her  lustre  to  the  escutcheon  of  loyalty. 

On  the  19th,  20th  and  21st  of  April,  we  again  endured 
a  cold,  easterly  storm,  but  without  snow  or  hail.  An 
idea  of  marching  along  the  Rappahannock  or  Potomac,. 


68  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [April, 

as  winter  is  decamping  in  disgust  from  the  red,  deep 
rebel  soil,  may  be  borrowed  by  picturing,  what  we  have 
seen,  twelve  stout  horses,  in  mud  to  their  bellies,  attempt 
ing  to  drag  a  single  piece  of  light  artillery.  Cavalry  is 
the  arm  of  service  for  motion  at  this  time  of  the  year. 
Xo  marvel  is  it  that  the  Virginians  are  more  distinguished 
as  horsemen  than  as  pedestrians.  Looking  upon  a  stal 
wart  "contraband"  snoring  on  the  bare  ground  by  our 
camp  fire,  we  philosophized  upon  the  wisdom  of  Provi 
dence  that  proportions  the  magnitude  and  form  of  human 
feet  to  severe  circumstances  ;  broad  feet  are  a  blessing 
suited  to  Virginia  mud. 

April  22d.  Charles  S.  Kenyon  (Troop  E)  died  in  the 
hospital,  from  measles  followed  by  lung  fever.  He  was 
buried  with  military  honors  on  the  following  day.  Over 
his  grave,  under  a  cherry- tree,  on  the  knoll  southwest 
of  our  camp,  the  funeral  volley  was  discharged,  and  the 
little  head-board  set  up.  George  S.  Wilcox  (Troop  E) 
died  of  lung  fever  April  28th,  and  his  body  was  sent 
North  to  his  friends.  As  the  result  of  our  exposure,  the 
whole  command  sorely  suffered  from  sickness.  While 
encamped  here  we  lost  more  than  twenty  horses. 

The  forces  now  associated  with  us  were  First  Maine 
Cavalry;  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  Massachusetts  Infan 
try;  Twelfth  and  Sixteenth  Indiana  Infantry;  Ninth 
Ni'W  York  Infantry;  First  Pennsylvania  Battery,  and  an 
Indiana  battery. 

Says  Captain  Baker:  "The  newspapers  often  amused 
us  with  reports  that  did  not  tally  with  our  memory.  We 
read  of  the  death  of  the  Corporal  of  Troop  A.  The  Cor 
poral  was  surprised,  but  gave  in,  as  the  fact  was  in  print. 
His  company  comrades  subscribed  ten  cents  each,  and 
obtaining  an  order  from  Major  Anthony  for  the  needful 
"commissary,"  had  a  magnificent  wake  over  the  live 


1862.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  6£ 

corpse.  The  Major  said  he  never  knew  a  man  take  his 
death  so  easily.  It  was  also  a  lively  hour  when  the  mail 
arrived. '  You  might  hear  the  anxious  questions,  '  Got  a 
letter  for  me? '  '  Anything  for  me? '  '  Am  I  forgotten?  > 
'  Guess  they  didn't  get  my  last.'  Some  went  away  sad,, 
vowing  never  to  write  again.  All  hastened  to  their  rude 
quarters  to  read.  Soon  the  sad  ones  came  back  with 
written  letters,  saying,  '  Well,  we  will  try  them  again  : 
if  we  don't  get  an  answer,  they  can  go  to  blazes. ": 

Colonel  Lawton,  taken  ill  soon  after  we  reached  the 
junction,  having  suffered  from  a  complication  of  diseases,, 
finding  himself  growing  weaker,  was  compelled  to  leave 
us  (April  29th)  and  fall  back  to  Washington  for  medical 
treatment.  He  was  advanced  in  years,  and  had  seen  not 
a  little  hard  service  in  the  Regular  Army.  The  com 
mand  now  devolved  upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles, 
who  proved  himself  equal  to  his  difficult  position.  Dress 
parades  were  resumed,  and  the  regiment  was  put  into  good 
spirits.  Regular  inspection  and  muster  were  observed 
April  30th.  During  the  previous  day,  mounted  messen 
gers  from  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg,  having  rode 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  miles  in  about  thirty  hours,, 
reached  our  headquarters  bringing  intelligence  to  the 
General.  One  of  their  horses  fell  dead  in  our  camp. 
The  good  news  related  to  McClellan's  success  at  York- 
town.  Fort  Pulaski  surrendered  to  Gilmore  April  llth, 
and  New  Orleans  succumbed  to  Farragut  and  Butler 
April  28th.  These  victories  gave  new  warmth  to  our 
blood,  and  lifted  our  caps  into  the  air. 

April  30th.  Fifteen  "contrabands"  came  into  camp 
— some  from  ten  miles  beyond  Culpepper  Court  House — 
all  bringing  curious  reports  of  the  retreat  of  the  Confed 
erates  south,  and  the  flying  of  the  inhabitants,  taking 
with  them,  as  far  as  possible,  their  "  divine  institution."1 


70  SABKES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

The  negroes  were  told  that  the  Yankees  were  coming  to 
obtain  them  for  their  cold  northern  homes,  where  they 
would  be  put  to  work  like  horses  and  mules  in  mills  and 
mines.  Such  ideas,  however,  did  not  penetrate  the 
woolly  heads. 

Troop  G,  detained  in  Washington  to  complete  their 
outfit,  left  the  Capital  April  29th,  and  reached  us  May 
2d.  Adjutant  G.  T.  Cram,  (of  the  New  Hampshire  bat 
talion)  on  his  way  from  Alexandria,  with  about  fifty  new 
horses  and  a  squad  of  only  twenty  men,  experienced  at 
Centre ville  a  little  draft  on  his  courage  and  skill.  Near 
midnight  the  toAvn  was  alarmed  with  the  cry  of  fire,  and 
the  report  that  rebels  had  plotted  the  destruction  of  the 
place.  The  inhabitants  flew  to  the  Adjutant  for  pro 
tection.  He  promptly  arranged  his  charge  and  provided 
for  the  town.  For  arresting  the  criminals  and  passing 
them  over  to  proper  military  authorities,  he  received 
suitable  commendation.  Pressing  on,  he  reached  us 
April  27th,  as  we  were  closing  our  Sabbath  worship, 
which,  as  usual,  consisted  of  singing,  reading,  prayer 
and  preaching.  These  services  were  ordinarily  followed 
by  a  dress  parade  and  an  inspection  of  arms  and  quarters. 

April  28th.  Hearing  that  rebel  scouts  were  in  War- 
renton  again,  Captain  L.  Sayles  (Troop  C)  dashed  up  to 
the  city  to  give  the  "gray  backs"  our  compliments. 
Our  excellent  Assistant  Surgeon  Greeley  was  temporarily 
detached  from  us  and  assigned  to  the  Brigade  Medical 
Department,  having  charge  of  hospitals  and  tents  of  two 
regiments.  In  the  meantime,  small-pox  appeared  among 
us,  requiring  a  pest  hospital  on  the  margin  of  the  camp. 

Even  the  elements  of  nature  in  Virginia  seemed  oc 
casionally  infected  with  a  hostile  disposition.  On  the 
second  of  May,  succeeding  a  pleasant  morning  and  a 
warm  noon,  the  afternoon  hung  out,  in  the  west  on  the 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  71 

mountains,  its  heavy,  ominous  curtain  of  clouds.  About 
four  o'clock  the  heavens  were  black,  and  portents  of 
hoarse  thunder  began  to  roll  from  the  distant  heights. 
Shortly,  a  wild  and  furious  tempest,  leaping  from  the 
mountains,  over  hills  and  forests,  with  rain,  hail  and  bel 
lowing  thunder,  swept  directly  towards  us.  The  mad 
tornado  of  wind,  rain,  hail  and  awful  sound,  struck  our 
frail  camp  and  swept  all  before  it,  tearing  tents,  over 
turning  heavy  army  wagons,  hurling  boxes,  barrels,  camp 
furniture,  and  even  cooking  utensils,  like  stubble,  along 
the  face  of  the  knoll  and  into  the  bending  and  breaking 
forest.^  Long  will  that  angry,  giant,  mountain  storm 
live  in  the  memories  of  our  hail-smitten,  drenched,  tent- 
less,  bruised  men.  What  neighing,  moaning,  flounder 
ing,  and  fleeing  of  panic-stricken,  pelted  horses.  Some 
of  tli em  fled  into  forests  and  were  never  recovered.  In 
the  succeeding  calm,  what  shaking  of  clothes,  rubbing  of 
limbs,  searching  for  blankets  and  ponchos  and  beasts. 
One  man  had  a  fractured  knee-pan;  another  a  broken 
collar-bone;  some  were  injured  by  the  affrighted  horses 
breaking  from  the  picket  ropes.  A  sutler's  wagon  lay 
bottom  up  in  the  creek  it  was  crossing,  the  high-priced 
Yankee  notions  and  goodies  rapidly  depreciating  in  value 
as  they  lay  on  the  bottom  or  made  a  reconnoissance  down 
stream.  In  fact,  the  drama,  announced  by  majestic 
music,  opened  with  all  the  elements  of  a  tragedy,  but 
closed  with  the  incidents  of  a  genuine  comedy,  in  which 
mud  figured  for  paint,  provoking  uproarious  laughter. 
The  Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  hitherto  regarded  as  beauti 
ful,  rather  lost  credit  in  our  eyes  by  this  passionate  per 
formance. 


72  SABRES   AND   SPUES.  [May, 


CHAPTER    VII. 

CAMP    STANTON     AND    THE    LONG    ROLL. 
MAT,  1862. 

AY  1st.     We  reported  to  Major-General   Mc- 

^ ^         Dowell,  commanding  First  Corps  d'  Armee,  and 

were  brigaded  under  General  G.  L.  Hartsuff.  The  regi 
ments  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  with  the  batteries,  save 
the  two  Indiana  infantry  regiments  that  took  rail  for 
Washington,  were  now  under  General  Hartsuff,  and  left 
the  junction  with  us,  May  5th,  and  pitched  new  camps 
with  us,  about  two  miles  from  the  junction  and  one  mile 
northwest  of  Catlett  Station,  upon  the  plantation  of 
William  P.  Quisenberry,  on  high,  gently-rolling  pasture 
lands,  skirted  by  forests  and  streams,  with  Cedar  Creek 
on  the  south.  From  this  table-land  position  exceedingly 
picturesque  views  opened  on  the  south  and  west  for 
twenty  miles,  and  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  stood  out 
in  magnificence.  The  forests  had  changed  from  gray  to 
emerald,  and  fruit-trees  were  in  full  bloom;  a  charming 
cluster  of  full-blossomed  cherry-trees  stood  within  our 
camp  in  front  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles'  headquarters. 
The  brigade  post,  in  honor  of  our  noble  Secretary  of 
War,  was  named  Camp  Stanton.  While  changing  camps 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  73 

we  had  some  of  the  detested  mud  of  the  junction  washed 
off  by  a  warm  and  copious  rain;  but,  if  our  coats  and 
blankets  were  moist,  we  had  the  poetic  pleasure  of  lying- 
down  on  clean  earth  ornamented  with  green  grass  and 
violets;  and  the  cheery  notes  of  bugles,  the  vespers  of 
the  whip-poor-wills,  and  the  matins  of  bluebirds  and 
robins  were  a  sweet  soldier  solace. 

May  6th.  Seven  rebel  spies  were  brought  into  camp 
and  assigned  to  the  guard-house.  The  next  day  (May 
7th),  by  our  headquarters,  on  'a  newly  erected,  lofty  flag 
staff  of  hickory,  we  hung  out,  for  the  benefit  of  Virginia 
and  our  own  cheer,  the  sacred  Stars  and  Stripes.  Hav 
ing  now  quite  a  number  of  tents,  our  camp  was  laid  out 
in  order,  and  our  troops  vied  with  each  other  in  matters 
of  cleanliness,  taste,  and  beauty.  Such  a  regular  cavalry 
camp,  with  parade,  company  streets,  tents,  and  horses  at 
their  picket  ropes,  is  a  beautiful  picture  not  to  be  forgot 
ten.  Hearing  of  McClellan's  victory  (May  5th)  at  Wil- 
liamsburg,  we  sent  up  hearty  cheers,  and  then  sang  "the 
Star  Spangled  Banner."  Surgeon  Newell  resigned  and 
left  us  (May  7th)  for  Washington,  leaving  us  in  the  care 
of  Assistant  Surgeon  Greeley.  Exciting  rumors  often 
reached  us  of  the  movements  of  rebel  cavalry  in  the  south 
and  west  portions  of  Fauquier  County. 

May  8th.  Our  New  Hampshire  battalion,  under  Major 
Nelson,  went  out  on  a  reconnoissance,  exploring  the 
region  lying  between  Kappahannock  Village  and  Fred- 
ericksburg,  in  a  route  of  fifty  miles,  and  were  absent  two 
days.  After  the  manner  of  all  outpost  duty,  they  had 
their  advance  and  rear-guards,  and  flankers,  and  so 
swept  a  path  about  a  mile  in  width.  Beyond  the  shriv 
eled  village  of  Elk  Run  they  found  white  and  black 
women  in  the  fields  planting  corn;  their  lords  were  fight 
ing  for  the  bars  of  slavery.  For  the  night  our  cavaliers 
7 


74  SABRES  AXD  SPURS.  [May, 

bivouacked  near  Morrisville,  on  the  lands  of  Dr.  Cooper, 
a  bitter  secessionist,  as  was  also  his  wife.  From  this 
place  they  pressed  on  to  Ellis'  Ford;  then,  deflecting  to 
the  left,  reconnoitered  to  Burnett's  Ford,  and  to  Spotted- 
Tille,  near  Richardson's  Ferry.  Their  path  lay  chiefly 
between  Deep  Run  and  Marsh  Kim.  On  one  plantation 
they  struck  the  trail  of  Texan  Bangers,  fast  and  rough 
riders,  righting  for  the  Southern  idol.  Whenever  our 
White  Mountain  boys  halted  to  talk  with  the  people,  they 
found  the  hottest  secession  tongues  among  the  women; 
one  boasted  that  she  had  two  sons  in  the  Southern  army, 
.and  wished  she  had  more  for  the  sacred  cause. 

May  9th.  Major  Anthony  led, a  reconnoitering  squad 
ron  to  Warrenton  Springs,  a  famous  watering  place, 
better  known  as  White  Sulphur  Springs:  a  somewhat 
elegant  summer  resort,  comprising  a  large  hotel,  a  number 
of  cottages,  suitable  baths  and  out-buildings,  all  set  off 
with  piazzas,  groves  and  statuary;  the  whole  capable  of  re 
ceiving  perhaps  six  hundred  guests:  a  place  where  the  el  He 
of  Virginia  had  often  discussed  the  sublime  doctrine  of 
whipping  their  negroes  and  the  "  mud-sills  "  of  the  North. 

May  llth.  Our  religious  services,  near  the  cherry 
grove  in  our  camp,  under  a  serene  sky,  in  a  balmy  west 
ern  breeze,  were  truly  delightful;  the  assembly  inspiring; 
the  meeting-house  magnificent;  the  devotions  sincere. 
The  mounted  dress  parade  following,  witnessed  by  the 
commands  around  us,  was  pronounced  faultless.  Im 
mediately,  General  HartsufFs  brigade,  excepting  our 
regiment  and  one  battery,  had  orders  to  hasten  to  the 
front  near  Fredericksburg,  and  General  Duryea  (formerly 
of  the  famous  Seventh  New  York  Infantry)  came  up  with 
his  brigade  to  hold  the  post,  the  name  of  which  he  shortly 
changed  to  Camp  Reliance.  The  pleasing  news  reached 
us  of  the  capture  (May  9th)  of  Pensacola. 


1S62.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  75 

May  12th-13th.  Lieutenant  Capron  (Troop  D),  in 
command  of  thirty  of  our  carbines,  by  order  of  the  Gen 
eral,  obedient  to  despatches  from  Washington,  went  up 
and  made  an  examination  of  the  plantations  and  build 
ings  near  "Warren  ton,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the 
facts  and  ferreting  out  the  criminals  connected  with  the 
lamented  murder  of  Hon.  Robert  E.  Scott,  one  of  the 
worthiest  citizens  and  ablest  lawyers  of  Virginia;  a  man 
of  wealth,  worth  and  influence,  who  boldly  stood  up  for  the- 
Union  in  the  State  Convention.  It  was  proved  that  he 
and  a  Mr.  Mathews  were  shot  by  renegade  soldiers.  In 
the  prosecution  of  his  search,  the  Lieutenant  was  much 
indebted  to  Rev.  Mr.  Barton  and  Mr.  Paget,  of  Warren  - 
ton. 

Xow  the  only  cavalry  regiment  in  our  brigade,  impor 
tant  picket  and  reconnoissance  services  were  daily  re 
quired  of  us;  but  our  sabres  were  ready.  Under  the 
firm  but  kind  order  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles,  Ave 
kept  up  daily  drills  and  aimed  for  excellence  in  our  com 
plicated  and  responsible  arm  of  the  service.  It  was 
reported  that,  on  account  of  our  bold  and  successful 
dashes  along  the  front  from  near  Fredericksburg  to  the 
foot  of  the  mountains,  the  rebel  cavalry,  under  the 
famous  Ashby,  stood  in  awe  of  no  force  so  much  as  of 
the  sabres  of  our  command.  Certainly  we  did  what  we 
could  to  deserve  this  reputation. 

We  add  another  word  descriptive  of  our  post,  and  the 
animating  military  drills  that  occurred  almost  daily.. 
Imagine  the  beautiful  undulating  valley  on  our  right,  as 
we  are  facing  west,  three-eighths  of  a  mile  in  width,  run 
ning  southwest;  bordered  on  the  west  by  splendid  forests;, 
through  its  centre  running  a  small,  clear,  hard-banked 
stream  of  sweet  water  on  its  way  to  Cedar  Creek.  East 
of  this  valley,  on  the  rolling  ridge  of  fields  and  pastures, 


76  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

around  a  fine  plantation  residence,  are  the  brigade  head 
quarters  and  the  camps  comprising  the  post.  Along  the 
valley  just  named  are  the  brigade  movements  of  drill 
and  mock  battle.  The  line  is  formed  parallel  wkh  the 
valley,  between  the  encampments  and  the  stream,  and 
consists  of  regiments  of  infantry  in  front,  battalions  of 
cavalry  in  the  rear,  and  sections  of  artillery  at  right 
angles  on  the  left,  to  sweep  the  valley  with  Parrott  guns 
and  howitzers  in  front  of  the  line.  Line  of  battle  being 
formed,  the  tiring,  at  bugle  signals,  is  conducted  by  files, 
companies  and  battalions;  meanwhile,  the  cannon  hurl 
their  howling  missiles  up  the  valley  and  into  the  forests. 
The  volleys  of  musketry,  the  roar  of  artillery,  the  flash  of 
sabres,  the  whistle  of  bullets,  the  explosion  of  shell,  the 
upturning  of  earth  and  cracking  of  trees,  while  smoke 
enwreaths  columns,  standards,  guidons  and  horses,  fur 
nish  a  grand  and  suggestive  scene,  only  equalled  by  the 
awful  field  of  actual  battle.  The  scene  is  varied  by 
changing  front  and  position  of  forces,  and  order  of 
action,  using  only  blank  cartridges.  In  one  of  these 
charges,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Sayles  had  his  hair  scorched 
by  the  fire  of  the  attacked  artillery. 

The  grand  rounds  of  the  long  line  of  brigade  pickets 
often  fell  to  our  duty.  Repeatedly,  as  the  pickets  were 
disturbed  by  rebel  scouts,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  sent 
out  squadrons  to  probe  the  difficulty.  On  one  of  these 
errands  Major  Anthony  led  fifty  horsemen  and  five  hun 
dred  infantry.  Here  some  of  our  officers,  from  sick 
ness  and  other  inabilities,  were  obliged  to  leave  us. 
Lieutenant  J.  L.  Perley,  Jr.,  left  us  while  very  sick,  and 
died  on  the  ninth  of  June  following. 

We  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Catlett  and  a  few 
old  Virginians,  who,  of  necessity,  were  Union  men.  On 
one  occasion,  a  Mr.  Marstello,  whose  hospitality  some  of 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  77 

us  had  shared,  visited  our  camp  and  was  so  liberally 
treated  that  his  strength  was  insufficient  for  his  support. 
Though  a  superb  horseman,  his  saddle  so  betrayed  him 
that  he  remained  in  camp  for  the  night,  awaiting  the 
bracing  airs  of  the  morning.  It  was  readily  allowed  that 
he  was  a  very  spirited  old  Virginian. 

May  18th.  The  pioneers  and  advanced  guard  of  Gen 
eral  Shields'  division,  fresh  from  the  field  of  their  late 
victories  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  reached  our  camp 
and  gave  peculiar  animation  to  our  post.  The  division, 
consisting  of  seventeen  regiments  of  infantry,  two  of 
cavalry,  and  four  companies  of  artillery,  was  marching 
to  join  our  forces  near  Fredericksburg.  General  Shields, 
lately  recovered  sufficiently  to  be  in  the  saddle,  wore  his 
.wounded  arm  in  a  sling, — a  veteran  fighter, — and  all  his 
command  had  imbibed  his  spirit.  As  the  long  column 
was  moving  through  our  camping  ground,  with  worn, 
stained,  victorious  colors,  one  of  our  men  said,  "  Well, 
boys,  you  have  seen  some  service."  Instantly  a  shrewd, 
sunburnt,  dusty  soldier,  with  a  Yankee  twinkle  in  his 
eye,  replied,  "  Yes,  we  have  been  to  a  couple  of  shooting 
matches."  A  goodly  sight  it  was  to  look  on  the  immense 
column,  reaching  for  miles  along  the  roads  and  planta 
tions — like  moving  forests  of  polished  steel — followed  by 
five  hundred  baggage  wagons,  caissons  and  ambulances. 
We  gazed  on  the  scarred  troops  and  their  shot-rent  stand 
ards  with  reverence  and  honor.  After  their  eight  days' 
continuous  march  they  were  happy  to  bivouac  by  our 
post  to  win  a  little  rest.  General  Shields  stopped  with 
General  Duryea. 

Unfortunately,  in  this  camp,  a  contagious  disease  of 
the  head  appeared  among  our  horses,  compelling  us  to 
instantly  separate  them  from  the  picket  ropes  and  des 
patch  them  with  bullets.  Nor  were  we  without  sick  men 
7* 


78  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

in  our  hospital.  On  the  twenty-second  of  May,  Horatio 
Foster  and  Henry  Greene  (both  of  Troop  E)  died  of 
typhoid  fever.  Their  funerals  occurred  on  the  following 
day;  suitable  escorts,  and  the  band  discoursing  dirges,  fol 
lowed  their  remains  to  the  graves  on  the  north  border  of 
our  camping  ground.  The  solemnity  of  such  funerals, 
far  from  our  homes,  in  the  camps  of  war,  parting  with 
brave  and  loved  comrades,  whose  graves  even  we  must 
soon  forsake,  perhaps  never  again  to  be  found,  left  deep, 
indelible  impressions  upon  our  hearts. 

General  Shields  was  anxious  to  have  our  regiment  ac 
company  him  on  his  way  to  Fredericksburg,  as  a  part  of 
his  command.  In  response  to  a  despatch  from  General 
McDowell,  on  the  twenty-second  of  May,  our  second 
battalion  (N.  H.),  under  Major  Xelson,  had  orders  to 
march  immediately  and  join  General  Shields,  who  had 
just  left  us.  After  hurried  preparation,  they  left  about 
sunset.  With  much  regret  we  bade  them  good-bye, 
praying  for  their  welfare  and  success,  little  imagining 
the  scenes  that  lay  before  them  and  us,  and  that  we 
should  not  meet  them  again  till  we  had  passed  the  Blue 
Eidge  Mountains,  to  find  them  in  the  hour  of  their  sacri 
fice  and  their  fame. 

The  air  was  now  painfully  astir  with  rumors  of  move 
ments  of  armies  from  the  region  of  Richmond  along  the 
mountains  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  McClellan,  with 
his  hundred  thousand  men,  was  confronting  Lee  with 
his  hundred  thousand.  As  a  strategic  step.  Lee  had 
sent  "Stonewall"  Jackson,  with  twenty  thousand  men, 
to  re-enter  the  valley.  With  wonderful  celerity,  Jackson 
executed  the  order,  and  captured  Front  Royal  May 
23d.  Though  the  armies  of  Fremont,  Banks,  and  Mc 
Dowell  numbered  sixty  thousand,  they  were  so  separated 
as  to  be  unable  to  quickly  check  Jackson's  raid.  Banks 


1862.]  FIRST    KHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  79> 

was  driven  back  clown  the  valley.  Fremont  hurried  on> 
from  the  west.  McDowell  hastened  as  rapidly  as  possi 
ble  from  the  south. 

May  24th.  Just  as  we  were  preparing  to  fortify  our 
post,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  telegram  from  the 
War  Department  ordered  us  to  hold  ourselves  ready  to 
move  in  a  moment.  The  bugles  sounded  the  "  assembly 
call"  at  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  it  was  thought  we 
must  march  by  sunrise  towards  Strasburg,  in  the  valley.. 
Our  spurs  and  sabres  were  ready.  About  ten  o'clock  A. 
M.  orders  came  for  our  first  battalion,  under  Major- 
Anthony,  to  march  to  Thoroughfare,  on  the  Manassas- 
(lap  Railroad,  and  report  to  General  Geary.  They  were- 
off  at  once,  followed  by  the  First  Virginia  Cavalry. 

The  third  battalion,  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles 
and  staff,  remained  to  assist  General  Dnryea.  Some 
regiments  of  infantry  from  our  post  took  rail  at  Catlett. 
Station  to  go  via  Manassas  Junction  to  Thoroughfare. 
With  us  were  left  but  two  regiments  of  infantry  and  a, 
battery.  The  sick,  save  a  few  too  weak  to  be  removed,, 
were  hurried  on  towards  Washington.  At  five  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  all  the  forces  left  our  post,  except  a, 
guard  for  the  sick.  We  pushed  for  Bristoe  Station,, 
about  nine  miles  distant,  one  of  our  squadrons  the  ad 
vance,  and  another  the  rear-guard.  Wet  with  showers,, 
we  reached  Bristoe  about  nine  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  laid 
down  to  dreams  in  the  great  room  with  green  carpet  and' 
cloud-curtains.  .  Our  rear-guard,  detained  with  the  stalled 
train  in  a  muddy  forest,  enjoyed  the  canopy  -of  trees.. 
Telegrams  were  flashing  over  the  wires;  camp  fire& 
illumined  hills  and  plains;  scouts  dashed  through  the 
woods;  despatches  reported  our  first  battalion  at  Thor 
oughfare  waiting  orders  from  General  Geary,  who  had 
pushed  sixteen  miles  beyond  the  gap;  our  New  Hamp- 


80  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

shire  battalion  had  reported  to  General  Shields  at  Fred- 
ericksburg.  The  feet  of  war  were  now  moving  lively. 

May  25th.  In  the  morning  we  moved  across  Broad 
Run,  near  Milford,  and  thought  of  encamping,  sending 
out  a  troop  on  scout,  'and  waiting  for  our  stalled  train 
and  rear-guard.  Xear  four  o'clock  P.  M.  the  A.  A.  A. 
General  of  the  brigade  came  dashing  at  full  speed  through 
the  troops,  ordering  all  to  be  instantly  ready  to  repel  an 
attack.  Here  for  the  first  time  sounded  upon  our  ears 
the  solemn,  significant,  thrilling  "Long  Roll."  Full- 
voiced  drums  and  bugles  prolonged  the  rallying  call. 
Leaving  everything,  save  our  arms,  we  answered  to 
"  Boots  and  Saddles"  and  stood  in  line  with  ready  spurs; 
we  were  cool,  but  prompt  for  duty.  Three  scouting  par 
ties  were  sent  out  at  once;  messengers  reported  skirmish 
ing  near  the  mountains.  Waiting  further  orders,  we 
slept  on  our  arms,  though  the  sleeping  was  scarce. 

Our  brigade  was  now  attached  to  General  Ord's  divis 
ion,  and  troops  were  being  pushed  up  to  our  support 
from  Washington.  Our  scouts  visited  our  last  camp 
and  cared  for  the  sick  left  there;  but  Owen  Reynolds 
(Troop  G)  died,  and  was  buried  (May  26th)  by  the  side  of 
Foster  and  Greene,  and  this  while  rebel  scouts  were  in 
sight.  The  remaining  sick  were  brought  away. 

May  26th.  Our  third  battalion,  with  headquarters, 
fell  back  to  Manassas,  and,  after  a  brief  halt,  were  ordered 
to  Centreville,  which  place  they  reached  in  the  evening. 
General  Geary  was  pressing  on  beyond  the  gap  of  the 
Bull  Run  Mountains.  General  Shields  was  returning 
from  Fredericksburg,  by  way  of  Catlett  Station,  on  a 
forced  march,  to  join  the  forces  now  combining  to  pur 
sue  Jackson.  General  Banks  was  reported  at  Williams- 
port,  whither  Jackson  had  driven  him. 

A  portion — the  majority — of  our  first  battalion,  having 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  81? 

passed  and  repassed  the  gap,  losing  most  of  their  effects 
by  the  order  to  burn  tents  and  baggage,  after  varied 
scouting  expeditions,  crossed  the  country  by  Aldie  and 
rejoined  the  headquarters  at  Centreville.  Major  Anthony 
and  a  part  of  his  command,  detained  on  scout  duty., 
reached  Manassas  May  27th,  and  Centreville  on  the  28th. 
Meanwhile,  cannonading  stirred  the  distant  air.  All 
the  land  was  alive  with  the  motion  of  troops.  General 
McDowell  was  hurrying  on  with  all  his  force  towards  the 
mountains.  One  hundred  and  twentj^-five  double  teams 
with  army  supplies  from  Alexandria  passed  us  on  tlieir 
way  to  the  front.  Arms,  ammunition  and  rations  Avere 
also  being  pushed  forward  by  rail,  We  were  next  to  dash, 
forward. 

Death  is  always  on  the  track  and  in  the  camps  of  a 
great  army.  Edward  C.  Flanders  (Troop  K)  died  irt 
hospital,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  IGth. 


82  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

OVER    THE     MOUNTAINS. 
MAY,  18G2. 

(UK  second  battalion  left  Frederieksburg  with  Gen 
eral  Shields,  acting  as  his  advance  guard,  and 
Major  Nelson  serving  as  Chief  of  Cavalry  for  the  division. 
They  reached  the  gap  of  the  Blue  Ridge  and  bivouacked 
in  it  on  the  night 'of  May  29th.  Of  their  after  splendid 
movements  we  will  speak  when  we  have  traced  the  other 
battalions  over  the  mountains. 

May  29th.  The  first  and  third  battalions,  in  obedience 
to  general  orders,  with  the  early  dawn,  took  up  the  line 
of  hurried  march,  to  aid  the  forces  now  pressing  over 
the  Blue  Ridge.  Our  road  ran  through  the  famous 
battle  field  of  Bull  Run,  on  which  we  looked  with  deep 
though tf ulness.  Forward  we  moved  through  Gaines 
ville,  and  by  sunset  reached  Thoroughfare,  in  the  Bull 
Run  Mountains,  where,  to  the  music  of  drums  and 
bugles  of  troops  pressing  through  or  halting,  we  biv 
ouacked,  with  the  earth  and  leaves  for  our  bed.  Around 
us  lay  the  ashes  of  camps  and  the  brands  of  burnt  wagons 
and  stores.  The  abrupt  and  shaggy  but  beautiful  mount 
ains  looked  calmly  down  upon  the  moving  and  encamp 
ing  forces.  Some  of  our  officers  slept  on  the  soft  floor  of 
a  Mr.  Tyler's  house. 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  83 

May  30th.  At  four  o'clock  A.  M.  we  answered  to  the 
bugles,  throwing  our  spurs  into  our  stirrups,  and  hurry 
ing  through  the  gap.  How  strangely,  even  sublimely, 
the  rich  music  of  our  band  echoed  along  the  precipices 
of  the  grand  mountain  gorge,  almost  tempting  us  into  a 
poetic  mood.  To  the  host  of  troops  of  every  arm,  by 
road  and  open  country  urging  their  onward  way,  our 
Troops  B  and  C  were  the  rear-guard.  On  account  of 
short  rations,  though  our  Quartermaster  did  all  in  the 
power  of  man  to  do  under  the  circumstances,  we  were 
obliged  to  forage  somewhat  upon  the  country.  Hunger, 
be  it  remembered,  has  a  dull  ear  for  civil  regulations  and 
polite  usages  in  a  time  of  war  and  in  an  enemy's  country. 
By  nine  o'clock  we  passed  through  White  Plains,  of 
course  greatly  admiring  the  beautiful  scenery  around  us. 
Though  on  a  forced  march,  the  columns  of  troops  being- 
large,  and  heavy  with  supplies,  ascending  the  mountains 
by  hard  roads,  our  motion  was  not  as  swift  as  some 
might  suppose;  it  would  not  do  to  outstrip  the  trains, 
which  were  miles  in  length.  Showers  of  rain,  wrung 
from  the  clouds  by  the  cool  airs  of  the  mountains,  effect 
ually  subdued  all  dust  and  cooled  riders  and  horses.  At 
one  o'clock  P.  M.  we  were  moving  through  Salem — not 
then  bearing  an  aspect  of  peace. 

At  night  we  halted  and  bivouacked  on  the  notable 
estate  of  Thomas  Marshall,  grandson  of  the  renowned 
Judge  Marshall.  The  great,  grand  old  mansion,  elegant 
ly  furnished  with  frescoes  and  paintings,  was  occupied  in 
part  by  our  field  and  staff  officers.  In  the  broad,  rich, 
picturesque  grounds  encompassing  the  mansion,  our 
camp  fires  were  liberally  fed  with  borrowed  fences,  while 
our  horses  consumed  Virginia  forage.  It  seemed  stranger 
than  fiction  that  such  a  force  from  New  England,  on 
such  an  errand,  should  occupy  this  place  in  this  manner. 


>-i  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

Oh!  how  would  the  shade  of  Marshall  have  cursed  the 
madness  of  secession. 

May  31st.  Girded  and  spurred  at  four  o'clock  A.  M., 
we  moved  off  from  the  historic  plantation  with  buoyant 
-guidons  and  sweet  music  from  our  brass  band.  By  the 
way,  the  band,  who  messed  together,  needed  no  hint  or 
help  in  the  mysteries  of  foraging.  They  bought  once  a 
night's  entertainment,  for  men  and  horses,  by  paying  in 
counterfeit  Confederate  bills,  and  receiving  in  change 
several  dollars  in  gold.  Ah!  the  sinuosities  of  philoso 
phy  in  war  time. 

Reaching  Piedmont,  we  halted  to  graze  our  horses  and 
take  from  the  depot  three  days'  rations.  Passing  on 
through  the  spurs  and  foot-hills  of  the  mountains,  the 
scenery  was  truly  fascinating.  Everything  in  nature  was 
beautiful  and  grand,  but  the  times  and  passing  events 
were  even  grander;  the  sublime  in  nature  was  only  as  a 
background  for  the  majestic  in  human  affairs.  We 
•crossed  Deer  .River  at  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  passed  near 
the  residence  of  the  celebrated  Colonel  Ash  by,  of  rebel 
-cavalry  fame.  At  Markham  we  lent  a  passing  look  to  the 
liome  of  Edward  C.  ^larsliall.  Here  General  McDowell 
and  staff  passed  us,  pressing  their  way  to  the  front. 
While  passing,  our  band  discoursed  their  most  patriotic 
.airs,  and  we  all  extended  the  appropriate  military  salutes. 

Occasionally  we  heard  from  a  rebel  rifle;  but  only  Con 
federate  scouts  were  now  in  the  mountains.  In  the  after 
noon  we  encountered,  in  the  valleys  and  gorges,  heavy 
mists  and  ominous  darkness.  After  passing  Linden  the 
troads  or  trails  were  horrible — full  of  streams  and  stones; 
we  sometimes  rode  over  brook  beds  of  nothing  but  stones 
and  rocks.  Shortly  after  dark  there  broke  upon  us  from 
the  mountain  tops  before  us  a  severe  thunder  storm,  such 
-as  only  mountains  may  boast  of.  The  thunder  bellowed, 


1802.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  85 

the  winds  howled,  the  lightnings  flashed  in  sublime  wrath, 
and  the  rain  fell  in  wealthy  torrents.  But  onward  we 
pressed,  often  feeling  our  way  by  the  blaze  of  the  celestial 
artillery;  for  we  had  orders  to  scale  the  mountains  and 
"report  in  Front  Royal  as  soon  as  possible.'''  Thus 
pelted  with  the  storm,  we  forced  our  way  to  the  mount 
ain  summit,  which  we  reached  soon  after  midnight, 
when,  from  the  excessive  darkness  and  our  extreme 
fatigue,  we  were  obliged  to  halt  and  lie  down  upon  the 
stone  heaps  and  wet  earth  to  court  the  sweet  spirit  of 
slumber.  Our  weary,  hungry,  drenched  horses  were  tied 
to  trees  and  bushes. 

A  light  battery,  following  us,  were  obliged  to  press  on, 
as  they  had  orders  to  "report  in  Front  Royal  by  sun 
rise,"  the  next  morning;  yet  the  shoulders  of  their  horses 
were  already  raw  and  bleeding.  Military  orders  in  the 
day  of  battle  know  but  little  of  mercy. 

In  our  bivouac  there  were  sublime  elements,  though  it 
required  some  self-command  and  poetic  relish  to  fully 
enjoy  them.  We  had  the  mountains  for  a  mattress; 
thunder-clouds  for  bedclothes,  and  thunder-bolts  to  tuck 
them  up  with.  Talk  never  more  to  us  of  shower  baths 
before  retiring,  or  of  sleeping  in  wet  sheets;  hydropathy 
is  nothing. 

Waking  by  break  of  day  (June  1st),  strange  sights 
saluted  us:  wet  men,  in  overcoats  and  blankets,  snoring 
in  the  grass,  under  bushes  and  by  the  sides  of  rocks; 
saddled  horses  browsing  from  picket  ropes  or  grazing 
among  bowlders.  Springing  into  our  saddles,  forward 
moved, the  martial  column.  The  descent  of  the  mount 
ain  was  easy,  and  the  scenery  was  enchanting.  Soon  we 
entered  the  city  of  Front  Royal,  where,  with  joy  and 
tears,  we  met  our  second  battalion,  whose  story,  in  brief, 
we  must  endeavor  to  recite. 
8 


86  SABRES  AND  SPURS. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

CAPTURE     OF     FRONT     ROYAL. 
MAY-JUNE,  1862. 

AY  29th.  Our  second  (X.  H.)  battalion,  lead 
ing  the  advance  of  General  Shields'  division, 
bivouacked  at  the  head  of  the  column,  in  the  gap  of  the 
Blue  Ridge.  Duty  was  pressing,  and  short  were  their 
dreams. 

May  30th.  With  Aurora's  first  mountain  smile,  they 
pressed  on,  and  reached  within  about  two  miles  of  Front 
Royal  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  Before  them,  in  the  valley, 
lay  the  city,  containing  about  six  hundred  inhabitants, 
and  held  by  the  Twelfth  Georgia  Regiment  of  Infantry, 
one  troop  of  Ashby's  cavalry,  and  a  section  of  artillery, 
with  a  guard  for  the  large  Confederate  hospitals.  It  not 
being  known  what  forces  were  in  it,  our  battalion  was 
ordered  to  charge  upon  the  city,  disperse  its  guard,  and 
then  prevent  the  fleeing  inhabitants  from  burning  the 
heavy  Shenandoah  bridges. 

The  four  troops,  worn  and  exhausted  from  more  than 
a  week  of  forced  marches  and  scout  duty,  could  muster 
but  one  hundred  men  and  horses  fit  for  such  dashing 
and  perilous  service.  These  were  instantly  formed  by 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  87 

fours,  in  command  of  Captain  Ainsworth,  with  suitable 
officers,  all  under  Major  Nelson,  and  commenced  their 
movement.  As  yet  they  were  unseen  by  the  city,  lying- 
northwest  of  them,  and  so  rapid  had  been  their  advance 
that  their  presence  had  not  been  suspected.  Preparatory 
to  their  charge,  some  Parrott  guns  and  a  howitzer  had 
been  run  out  in  the  forest,  on  a  spur  of  the  mountain, 
looking  down  into  the  valley  and  commanding  a  range 
of  the  city,  to  render  at  least  moral  aid,  at  the  right 
moment,  by  music  and  metal.  As  our  men  descended 
the  mountain  on  a  trot  and  were  about  to  open  to  the 
view  of  the  city,  the  artillery  broke  silence  with  shell 
that  flew  screeching  out  into  the  valley  and  over  the 
town.  This  but  animated  our  brave  men,  while'  it  sent 
alarm  and  panic  into  the  unsuspecting  city. 

Reaching  the  plain  land,  our  gallant  boys  spurred  their 
horses  into  a  swift  gallop,  yet  preserving  their  order,  and 
with  ready  carbines,  flashing  sabres,  and  charged  pistols, 
dashed  into  the  panic-stricken  town.  The  enemy's  ar 
tillery,  and  Ashby's  seventy  cavalry,  and  the  regiment  of 
Georgia  infantry,  taken  thus  by  surprise,  and  fearing 
that  the  mountain  was  full  of  forces  pouring  down  on 
them,  fled  at  full  speed  on  the  Strasburg  road,  to  the 
northwest,  followed  by  their  trains  and  many  of  the 
affrighted  inhabitants.  Though  they  set  fire  to  the  rail 
road  depot,  and  to  the  splendid  bridges  over  the  branches 
of  the  Shenandoah,  their  destructive  purpose  was  thwart 
ed,  by  our  swift  and  daring  troopers.  One  of  our  men 
sprung  from  his  saddle,  rushed  into  the  burning  depot, 
mounted  the  engine  that  chanced  to  be  fired  up,  and  ran 
it  out  with  its  train  of  stores  and  grain.  Right  through 
the  town  charged  our  White  Mountain  men,  sweeping  all 
before  them,  demanding  at  the  sabre's  point  the  surren 
der  of  all  they  met. 


88  SABRES  AXD  SPURS.  [May, 

Sometimes  squads  of  full  armed  rebels,  that  bad  not 
succeeded  in  escaping,  or  remained  as  guards,  though 
double  the  number  of  our  small  parties  now  scouring  the 
streets,  would  throw  down  their  guns  and  submit  to  our 
sabres.  In  one  instance,  a  lieutenant,  a  corporal  and  a 
private,  of  our  command,  took  seven  Confederates  having 
loaded  muskets.  From  secret  places  balls  and  buckshot 
were  uncomfortably  abundant.  Our  men,  however,  were 
above  fear  in  their  quick,  thorough  work;  they  struck 
dismay  on  every  side.  Sherman  Davis  (Troop  I),  with 
drawn  sabre,  dashed  up  to  a  rebel  captain  and  demanded 
his  surrender  and  his  sword;  but,  as  he  was  taking  the 
sword,  the  captain  drew  a  revolver  and  fired  upon  him 
three  times,  the  shots  tearing  his  hat  and- laying  bare  the 
bones  of  his  head;  yet  he  persisted  and  led  the  dastard 
rebel  captive.  Thus  our  fearless  cavaliers,  with  ready 
pistols,  brandishing  sabres,  loud  yells  of  victory,  and 
foaming  horses  sharing  the  spirit  of  their  riders,  soon 
had  the  city  under  their  command. 

Not  content  with  the  capture  of  the  city,  but  anxious 
to  save  the  bridges  from  rebel  flames,  on  pressed  our 
sabres  and  spurs  after  the  retreating  Confederates,  whose 
infantry  and  artillery  vainly  endeavored  to  make  a  stand 
till  they  had  crossed  the  bridges  and  reached  about  three 
miles  from  the  city;  and  even  here  they  dared  halt  only 
a  short  time,  as  General  Shields  was  pushing  his  supports 
up  to  our  dashing  troopers  and  hurling  shot  and  shell  upon 
the  heels  of  the  demoralized  "gray  backs."  Though  the 
retreating  foe  sent  back  their  compliments  in  the  form 
of  shot  and  shell,  our  riders  dashed  fearlessly  on  and 
came  upon  their  hastily  formed  line  of  infantry,  beyond 
the  farthest  bridge,  on  the  Winchester  road,  and  here 
made  one  of  the  most  bold,  thrilling,  magnificent  charges 
on  record.  They  smote  the  enemy  like  a  tornado  and 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  89 

broke  their  line.  Here  heroically  fell  the  most  of  the 
men  we  this  day  lost.  Here  slept  in  death  the  bravest  of 
soldiers  by  the  side  of  fallen  horses  and  dying  enemies. 
The  memorable  spot  was  in  the  vicinity  of  General 
Banks'  losses  just  one  week  before;  thus  refluent  are  the 
bloody  waves  of  war. 

Never  fell  truer,  braver  men.  Captain  William  P. 
Ainsworth  (Troop  M)  fell  at  the  head  of  his  command, 
pierced  with  eight  balls.  With  him  fell  Corporal  George 

B.  Bernard  and  Benjamin  C.   Lashure  (Troop  I),  John 

C.  Babcock,  Edward  K.  Bernard  and  Cyrus  A.  Bracket 
(Troop  K),  and  Hartley  C.  Cushman  (Troop  M.)     Even 
their  horses,  after  losing  their  riders,  held  their   line, 
finished  the  charge,  and  fell  in  the  enemy's  ranks,  slain 
with  bayonets  and  bullets.     E.  B.  Allen  (Troop  I)  was 
shot  from  his  saddle,  and  died  just  across  the  second 
bridge.     The   wounded   were,  of   Troop   I,  Lieutenant 
(>.  H.  Thompson,  slightly,  Harvey  Hutchinson,  severely, 
Ak-xander  P.  Cory,  severely,  John  M.  Pressey,  severely, 
Sherman  Davis,  severely,  Oscar  F.   Merrill,  slightly;  of 
Troop  L,   Perley  F.   Hardy,  severely.     Olney  P.  Smith 
was  missing. 

Our  officers  and  men  who  executed  this  brilliant  and 
successful  charge — one  hundred  against  greatly  superior 
forces  in  a  defensible  position — deserve  a  lasting  record 
in  the  remembrance  of  their  country.  Indeed,  nothing 
in  the  whole  war,  as  allowed  by  proper  judges,  surpassed 
this  conduct  of  our  men.  They  took  one  hundred  and 
seventeen  rebel  prisoners,  recaptured  twenty  Federal 
prisoners,  among  whom  were  Major  Collins,  of  the  First 
Vermont  Cavalry,  the  Quartermaster  and  Adjutant  of 
the  First  Maryland  Infantry,  and  the  Adjutant  of  the 
Third  New  York  Cavalry;  also  saved  bridges  and  cap 
tured  cars,  engines,  arms,  ammunition,  wagons  and 
8* 


90  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

stores  to  an  immense  amount :  for  the  city  just  now 
was  Jackson's  depot. 

So  swift  was  the  action  of  capturing  the  city  that  our 
men  had  no  support,  save  the  moral  aid  of  artillery,  in 
their  heroic  work.  While  the  enemy  bore  off  all  their 
dead  and  wounded,  save  one  dead  and  one  wounded 
captain,  all  our  dead  and  wounded  were  secured  and 
brought  into  the  city.  Of  course  the  rebel  hospitals 
and  sick  were  in  our  hands — not  a  small  charge.  Our 
wounded  were  put  in  comfortable  dwellings.  Our  gal 
lant  and  mourned  dead,  after  the  best  possible  funeral 
services  and  honors,  were  borne  to  the  margin  of  the 
city,  by  an  oak  grove,  and  tenderly,  tearfully  laid  in 
their  graves,  with  their  martial  cloaks  around  them,  and 
over  them  little  head-boards  bearing  their  names.  The 
body  of  Captain  Ainsworth,  however,  was  forwarded  to 
his  home  in  New  Hampshire. 

The  conduct  of  our  men  in  this  capture  of  Front 
Royal  was  the  theme  of  eulogy  among  all  the  troops  in 
and  around  the  valley.  The  highest  military  officers 
warmly  applauded  the  achievement.  Ever  after,  the 
name  of  our  regiment  was  a  synonyme  of  honor. 

Would  that  we  had  at  least  brief  biographical  sketches 
of  our  fallen  comrades,  and  that  the  design  of  our  vol 
ume,  admitted  of  their  insertion.  But  if  their  full  lives 
are  not  recorded  in  this  narrative,  their  names  and  deeds 
are  undying  in  the  towns  and  States  to  which  they  be 
longed;  and  evermore,  with  those  of  kin  and  kith,  our 
hearts,  like  muffled  drums,  will  beat  their  funeral  march. 

Yet  we  cannot  refrain  from  some  mention  of  the  noble 
officer  who  fell  at  the  head  of  his  command  in  the  gal 
lant  charge  upon  his  country's  foes. 

Captain  WILLIAM  P.  AINSWORTH.  He  was  the  son  of 
William  Ainsworth,  Esq.,  of  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  and 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  91 

grandson  of  the  venerable  Rev.  Labau  Ainsworth,  of  Jef 
frey.  After  a  thorough  academical  education,  he  entered 
on  mercantile  life  with  the  firm  of  Parker,  Wilder  &  Co.r 
Boston.  Subsequently  he  engaged  in  civil  engineering 
with  General  Stark;  afterwards  serving  the  Nashua  and 
Lowell  Railroad,  and  was  finally  elected  treasurer  of  this 
and  the  Wilton  Railroad,  which  responsible  position  he- 
relinquished  to  join  the  army.  At  the  time  of  his  vol 
unteering  he  held  a  high  position  in  the  Governor's: 
Horse  Guards. 

Known  in  a  wide  and  refined  circle,  though  he  had  no- 
family  or  immediate  dependant,  he  was  a  general  favor 
ite;  of  the  highest  moral  character,  of  unspotted  integ 
rity,  of  a  genial,  aifectionate  nature,  and  the  soul  of" 
honor  itself. 

In  him  were  remarkably  developed  the  elements  of  a 
cavalry  officer:  quick  apprehension,  firm  decision,  warm, 
enthusiasm,  pure  patriotism,  and  the  spirit  of  sacrifice. 
With  a  strong  arm,  he  was  a  superior  swordsman  and  a. 
dashing,  fearless  rider,  as  illustrated  in  the  last  deed  of 
his  life.  We  can  see  him  still,  mounted  on  his  powerful? 
horse — the  gift  of  his  railroad  friends — at  the  head  of  hi& 
heroic  command,  dashing  into  the  thick  of  the  fight, 
an  attractive  mark  for  the  bullets  of  his  enemies,  and 
plunging  with  keen  sabre  on  the  ranks  of  his  foes,  till 
his  work  was  done.  Was  it  not  a  glorious  martyrdom?' 
Could  he  speak  again  to  us,  would  he  not  say,  "  It  is, 
well." 

A  funeral  pall  rested  on  Nashua,  N.  H.,  when  the 
news  of  his  death  reached  the  city,  and  the  event  was  a 
theme  in  the  churches,  especially  in  the  one  where  he 
was  wont  to  worship.  His  remains  reached  home  June 
5th,  in  charge  of  Sergeant  H.  C.  Foster,  and  were  re 
ceived  by  the  Granite  State  Cadets,  and  laid  in  state  in 


92  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [June, 

the  City  Hall,  appropriately  draped,  where,  the  next  day, 
his  funeral  was  observed.  Tearfully  he  was  buried  with 
military  and  Masonic  honors,  the  Cadets  and  Governor's 
Horse  Guards  performing  escort  duty. 

Deeply  mourned  by  Xew  Hampshire  and  our  regiment, 
his  death  was  a  loss  to  his  country,  save  as  the  blood  of 
the  slain  is  an  inspiration  to  the  living,  and  a  memorial 
forever.  His  faithful  horse,  bearing  several  bullets  in  his 
body,  was  soon  sent  home  to  a  friend  in  Nashua,  !N".  H. 

Cherished  in  thy  country's  breast, 
Rest !  heroic  brother,  rest ! 
Cherished  likewise,  by  thy  side, 
They  who  with  thee  nobly  died. 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY. 


CHAPTER    X. 

SERVICES    IN     THE    VALLEY. 
JUNE,  1862. 

Royal  lies  on  the  east  of  the  Shenandoah 
River,  and  out  of  it  leads  a  broad  road  across  both 
branches  of  the  river  to  Strasburg.  The  valley  is  ex 
ceedingly  rich,  and  famed  for  its  beauty.  The  mount 
ains  and  their  spurs  are  a  superb  sight,  when  the  clouds,, 
as  we  often  saw  them,  in  the  morning,  rolled  through 
the  gorges  and  down  the  slopes. 

June  1st.  The  city  was  overflowing  with  troops,  com 
ing  in  from  the  gap,  going  out  to  the  north,  hastening 
to  the  west.  General  Shields  was  feeling  for  Jackson,, 
who  was  yet  down  the  valley,  but  trying  to  elude  us  and 
dodge  back  up  the  valley,  before  we  could  grip  him.. 
The  rapidity  of  "  Stonewall V  motions  was  to  us  almost 
marvelous;  but  he  and  his  command  were  familiar  with 
the  country,  and  received  all  possible  hints  and  aids  from 
the  inhabitants. 

When  our  battalions  again  united  their  guidons  in  the 
city,  a  skirmish  was  going  on  near  Strasburg;  excitement 
ran  high;  rumors  flew  thick;  miles  of  troops  were  in 
motion;  wagons  and  artillery  trains  seemed  almost  end- 


94  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

less.  We  were  at  once  assigned  to  General  Shields'  divis 
ion,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  was  appointed  Chief 
of  Cavalry.  Hearing  brisk  and  protracted  cannonading 
at  the  west,  our  regiment  was  off  early  (June  2d)  with 
Shields'  division  on  the  Luray  road,  to  share  in  the  en 
gagement. 

A  few  days  after  the  capture  of  the  town,  a  skulking 
" gray  back"  or  Southern  sympathizer  sawed  nearly  off 
the  girders  of  one  of  the  railroad  bridges,  to  entrap  our' 
supply  trains,  but  the  vigilance  of  our  guard  discovered 
the  deed  and  averted  disaster.  About  the  same  time,  a 
lingering  rebel,  from  a  woody  covert  in  the  border  of  the 
town,  fired  on  a  Federal  captain  and  shattered  his  arm. 

Almost  daily,  heavy  tempests  of  wind,  thunder  and 
rain,  joined  in  the  military  commotion  of  the  valley, 
sponging  our  worn  uniforms,  and  transforming  the  roads 
into  quagmires.  At  one  time  the  Shenandoah  rose 
twelve  feet.  Along  its  high,  steep  banks,  we  found  in 
one  place  the  dark,  rich  alluvial  soil  fifteen  feet  deep — a 
magnificent  soil  for  cereals. 

The  action  of  the  morning  (June  2d)  proved  to  be  a 
dispute  between  Jackson  and  the  forces  of  Fremont  that 
had  just  reached  the  valley  from  the  west.  "  Stone 
wall"  received  the  heavier  blows,  yet  he  was  slipping 
south.  Utterly  exhausted  from  forced  marches  and 
storms,  and  leaving  many  of  our  horses  dead  on  the  road, 
the  most  of  our  regiment  returned  from  Luray  to  Front 
Royal  June  4th.  Jackson  had  passed  Luray,  and  burned 
the  bridges,  before  General  Shields  could  strike  him. 
He  moved  like  an  antelope. 

About  midway  between  Front  Royal  and  Luray  dwelt 
a  Mr.  Haynes  and  family,  whose  opinions  were  not  in 
harmony  with  the  rebellion.  By  Jackson's  direction 
Mr.  Haynes  was  arrested  and  imprisoned  in  Luray. 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  95 

When  General  Shields  moved  to  occupy  Luray  he  prom 
ised  Mrs.  Haynes  and  her  daughter  that  Mr.  Haynes 
should  be  released;  but  on  reaching  the  place  he  found 
the  rebels  had  killed  the  prisoner;  an  account  of  which 
transaction  the  General  penned  and  forwarded  to  the 
afflicted  family  by  our  Quartermaster,  C.  A.  Leonard. 
But  the  crowning  barbarity  was  that  the  rebels  refused 
to  give  up  the  lifeless  body. 

Troops  E  and  G,  under  Captains  Farrington  and  Wood, 
and  a  hundred  men  under  Captain  Whipple,  remained  as 
General  Shields'  advance  guard  in  the  pursuit  of  Jack 
son,  and  pushed  on  to  Columbia  Bridge,  where  they  were 
fired  on  by  straggling  rebels,  and  promptly  returned  the 
same  solid  compliments. 

June  4th.  Twenty  men,  under  Captain  W^ood,  pressed 
on  to  Miller's  Bridge,  where  they  found  and  tfurned 
arms,  ammunition  and  clothing,  valued  at  eight  thou 
sand  dollars.  Returning,  they  were  fired  on  from  the 
west  bank  of  the  river,  and  Hugh  Mullholland  had  the 
clothes  cut  from  his  breast  by  a  bullet.  At  evening  both 
troops  (E  and  G)  were  ordered  up  to  hold  the  bridge. 
Marching  all  night  in  a  drenching  rain,  they  arrived  in 
the  morning,  and  charging  through  the  forest  found  the 
bridge  in  ashes.  Here,  while  Captain  Farrington  and 
Lieutenant  Bliss 'were  in  consultation  about  crossing  the 
river,  a  Confederate  bullet  whistled  between  their  heads, 
suggesting  their  situation.  The  next  morning  private 
Hamilton  (Troop  E)  captured  Major  Williams,  of  the 
Ninth  Louisiana  Infantry,  and  brought  him  to  camp. 

The  remaining  services  of  these  troops  on  this  expedi 
tion  consisted  of  picket  duty  and  reconnoissance  in  the 
mountains.  A  few  of  our  command,  as  orderlies  for 
field  officers,  were  in  the  battle  of  Port  Republic,  a  hot 
action  in  which  Colonel  Carroll,  of  Ohio,  proved  himself 


^6  SABRES    AND   SPURS.  [June, 

•a  hero,  Philip  Creed  (Troop  E)  and  0.  H.  Clement 
•(Troop  L),  while  guarding  prisoners  from  Port  Repub 
lic  to  Luray,  were  captured  by  a  guerilla  band. 

We  here  allow  an  incident,  by  way  of  relief.  At 
Columbia  Bridge,  a  piece  of  artillery  had  been  put  in 
position  on  a  hill,  near  a  barn,  to  command  the  bridge. 
Captain  Farrington  and  an  old  negro  living  on  the  place 
"were  in  conversation,  with  their  backs  to  the  cannon. 
Suddenly  the  piece  was  discharged.  The  negro,  jump 
ing  high  from  the  ground,  exclaimed:  "Laud,  God 
A'mite'y,  Massa,  I  neber  hear  sich  a  noise  in  my  life. 
Hear  dem  tings  many  times  Fourth  July,  but  nebber 
liear  so  loud  noise  as  dat." 

June  8th.  Had  an  inspection  and  dress  parade  at 
headquarters.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  addressed  the 
regiment  upon  the  scenes  through  which  we  had  passed, 
and  paid  a  just  tribute  to  those  who  had  fallen  in  battle. 
<3n  the  same  day,  at  Front  Royal,  in  the  hospital,  died 
private  Logee  (Troop  L),  of  typhoid  fever.  He  was 
buried  by  the  side  of  his  comrades  who  fell  in  the  charge 
of  May  30th,  Quartermaster-Sergeant  C.  C.  Burrows 
-officiating  in  the  absence  of  the  Chaplain. 

Troops  E  and  G  returned  to  Luray,  and  then  to  Front 
Eoyal,  joining  the  headquarters  June  llth.  Captain 
Farrington  came  into  town  finely  mounted  on  a  bay  rebel 
charger,  complete  in  elegant  trappings,  suitable  for  an 
F.  F.  V.  Not  a  few  soldiers  bore  with  them  Confeder 
ate  trophies. 

Captain  \Vhipple  and  his  hundred  men  were  unceas 
ingly  occupied  in  scouting  through  the  dangerous  roads 
of  the  mountains,  occasionally  meeting  with  small  bands 
of  rebels  and  spurring  them  forward  on  their  retreat  up 
the  valley.  About  fifteen  miles  from  Luray,  when  (June 
3th)  winding  their  zigzag  way  up  the  mountain,  a  vol- 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  97 

ley  was  fired  on  them  from  a  party  ambushed  on  the 
overhanging  heights,  cutting,  and  lodging  a  bullet  in, 
the  shoulder  of  Moses  B.  Allen  (Troop  B)  and  lea  vino- 
seven  wounds  in  his  horse;  killing  the  horse  of  his 
brother,  J.  R.  Allen,  of  the  same  troop;  and  nearly  cut 
ting  off  the  thumb  of  C.  W.  Bowen  (Troop  F).  As  a 
sample  of  the  blood  of  these  boys,  J.  B.  Allen,  on  losing 
his  horse  and  seeing  his  brother  wounded,  sprang  to  his 
feet  in  the  middle  of  the  road,  and,  drawing  sabre  and 
pistol,  waving  them  in  the  face  of  his. foes,  dared  them, 
in  phraseology  more  emphatic  than  polite,  to  come  down 
and  meet  him  in  a  square  combat. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  June,  Captain  Whipple  and  his 
men  reached  Front  Royal,  the  Captain  riding  a  fine  iron- 
gray,  with  ornamented  saddle  and  trappings,  captured 
from  a  captain  of  Ashby's  cavalry. 

From  deaths,  wounds,  sickness,  and  disabilities,  our 
regiment  had  now  lost  well-nigh  one-third  of  our  original 
number.  Our  quota  of  horses  had  fared  even  worse. 
For  three  weeks  we  had  had  no  rest,  and  had  passed 
plains,  mountains,  and  rivers,  and  had  been  in  one  con 
tinuous  stretch  of  anxiety  and  peril.  General  McDowell 
wisely  concluded,  in  consideration  of  our  arduous,  ef 
ficient,  exhaustive  services,  that  we  deserved  rest  and 
reinforcements.  As  Jackson  had  escaped  towards  Rich 
mond,  though  not  without  losses,  we  were  no  longer 
needed  in  the  valley. 

The  secession  inhabitants  of  this  region  will  doubtless 
remember  the  Yankee  shrewdness  and  strategy  of  some 
of  our  wide-awake  boys.  While  greenbacks  were  scorned, 
Confederate  scrip  was  at  par  in  the  path  of  "  Stonewall." 
Some  loyal  genius  had  finely  counterfeited  this  rebel 
paper.  Armed  with  this  seductive  scrip,  our  boys  gen 
erously  paid  for  milk,  honey,  bread,  and  whatever  lux- 
9 


98  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

uries  were  obtainable,  sometimes  receiving  greenbacks 
and  specie  in  change.  Thousands  of  dollars,  first  and 
last,  were  thus  passed  in  the  interests  of  war;  for  it  was 
argued  that  paper  was  as  harmless  as  steel. 

Having  orders  to  recross  the  mountains,  we  aligned 
our  guidons,  with  the  exception  of  Captain  Whipple's 
command, needing  a  day's  rest — and  formed  column  of 

march. 

June  Hth.     Passed  the  mountain  ridge  and  bivouacked 

at  Oak  Hall. 

June  15th.  We  reached  Haymarket,  of  course  eyeing 
the  beautiful  scenery  as  we  passed  among  the  hills. 

June  16th.  Our  headquarters  safely  and  joyfully 
reached  war-scarred  Manassas. 

Captain  Whipple  and  command  left  Front  Royal  June 
15th,  and,  encamping  on  his  march  at  Hopewell  and 
White  Plains,  reached  Manassas  on  the  17th.  We  were 
worn,  weary,  reduced,  yet 'spirited  and  hopeful,  because 
an  honored  command.  George  P.  Streeter  (Troop  H) 
died  June  16th. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  99 


CHAPTER      XI. 

RECRUITING    AT    MANASSAS. 
JUNE— JULY,  1862. 

f  I  /IrJE  encamped  about  three  miles  north  of  Manas- 
^GAj^  sas  Junction,  on  the  west  side  of  Bull  Run 
River,  in  the  vicinity  of  Blackburn's  Ford;  at  first  under 
a  few  tents  and  leafy  bowers,  and  in  old  buildings.  Some 
other  forces,  for  the  purpose  of  refitting,  were  near  us. 
All  fresh  and  ready  troops  were  moved  on  to  the  southern 
front  of  action.  At  this  time  large  expectations  were 
vested  in  McClellan,  and  we  were  cheered  by  the  victories 
of  Seven  Pines  and  Fair  Oaks  (May  31st).  The  capture 
of  Corinth  had  occurred  May  30th. 

Our  sick  and  wounded  were  forwarded  to  hospitals 
near  Washington.  Surgeon  Greeley  was  happy  in  receiv 
ing  (June  21st)  the  support  of  Assistant  Surgeon  A.  A. 
Mann.  From  sickness,  death,  and  resignation,  changes 
had  occurred  in  line  as  well  as  in  rank.  The  detachment 
left  at  Centre ville,  in  May,  as  a  guard  for  Government 
stores,  under  Captain  Swett,  now  rejoined  us.  With 
canvas  and  boughs,  it  being  summer,  we  soon  had  an 
orderly  arranged  and  comfortable  camp.  Religious  ser 
vices  were  held  under  a  giant  oak  at  the  right  of  our 
headquarters,  or  on  a  grassy  slope  to  the  west.  Vacant 


100  s  A  BEES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

offices  were  in  part  filled;  some  new  men  received;  some 
fresh  horses  secured;  regimental  drills  resumed,  and 
dress  parades  regularly  observed.  In  one  of  the  general 
drills  of  the  forces  General  McDowell  was  thrown  from 
his  horse  and  somewhat  injured.  A  few  of  our  men 
received  bruises  and  broken  bones  from  the  falling  of  a 
barn  floor. 

June  18th.  Receiving  from  Major  Sherman  our  pay 
up  to  April,  the  sutlers'  tents  and  wagons  were  liberally 
patronized;  but  most  of  the  money  was  sent  home.  By 
sharp  military  order  and  surveillance,  whisky  labored 
under  difficulties;  yet  sometimes  a  tent  would  be  anima 
ted.  Sergeants  Peterson  and  Shurtliif  left  (June  24th) 
for  Rhode  Island  on  recruiting  service. 

The  armies  of  Fremont,  Banks,  and  McDowell,  num 
bering,  Avhen  we  were  in  the  valley,  about  forty  thousand, 
were  finally  consolidated  (June  27th),  and  called  the 
Army  of  Virginia,  and  placed  under  command  of  General 
Pope,  who  issued  an  order  full  of  pluck  and  promise. 
Fremont  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  Sigel.  Mean 
while,  recruiting  was  vigorously  driven.  A  thousand 
horses  passed  our  camp  for  a  Pennsylvania  cavalry  regi 
ment,  at  Manassas  Junction,  that  had  not  been  mounted. 
In  the  Twelfth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  near  us,  half 
of  the  captains  resigned  on  account  of  the  severities  of 
their  service.  Affairs  were  almost  as  gloomy  in  the 
Ninth  New  York  Volunteers.  All  needed  rest,  recupera 
tion,  and  recruits.  General  Shields'  division  moved  via 
Alexandria  and  the  Potomac  to  assist  McClellan. 

June  30th.  A  new  and  ample  camp  was  laid  out  on 
the  plain,  the  officers  having  Sibley  and  the  men  A  tents; 
the  horses  sheltered  by  boughs.  Again  we  were  mus 
tered  for  pay,  and  also  inspected  by  one  of  General 
McDowell's  aids. 


1SG2.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAXI;    CAVALl'.Y.  101' 

July  1st.  We  were  pleasantly  surprised  by  a  visit  from 
Governor  Sprague  and  Major  F.  W.  Miner  of  his  staff, 
both  of  whom  were  received  with  suitable  ceremony,  and 
entertained  as  best  we  could  dispense  hospitalities  in  the 
field,  making  special  requisitions  upon  Mr.  May,  our 
regimental  sutler.  On  the  following  day  His  Excellency 
reviewed  us,  spoke  of  our  services  and  sacrifices  in  appre 
ciative  terms,  promised  us  recruits,  and  repeated,  what 
had  been  before  pledged  to  us,  that  all  promotions  in  the 
regiment  should  be  from  members  of  the  command. 
Before  leaving  us,  the  next  day,  he  gave  to  us  the  follow 
ing  communication: 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  Y 
Camp  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  July  2,  1862.          f 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  will  communicate  to  bis  command 
the  satisfaction  of  the  Executive  of  Rhode  Island  in  the  oppor 
tunity  he  has  had  of  being  with  them. 

He  congratulates  officers  and  men  upon  their  good  appearance. 
Their  duties  have  been  most  arduous.  The  brilliant  and  success 
ful  action  of  the  New  Hampshire  battalion  demands  the  highest 
praise.  Follow  up  the  example  thus  inaugurated,  and  the  First 
Regiment  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  will  stand  foremost  for  efficiency 
and  gallantry  of  any  in  the  service. 

Officers  will  be  made  from  the  most  deserving  men  of  the  regi 
ment.  The  recommendations  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sayles  will 
be  alone  recognized. 

Captain  Lycurgus  Sayles  is  appointed  Major  of  the  third  bat 
talion. 

Captain  John  L.  Thompson  is  appointed  Major  of  the  second 
battalion. 

WILLIAM  SPRAGUE. 

FRANCIS  W.  MINER,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

On  the  same  day  three  prisoners  were  brought  in  by 
our  scouts;  one  a  member  of  General  Swell's  body-guard; 
one  a  member  of  the  Eighth  Virginia  Infantry.     Spies 
9* 


SA.'JRLS   AND   SPURS. 

were  all  around  us,  sometimes  playing  the  role  of  "  Union 
men"  very  sharply.  War  clouds  now  began  to  thicken 
again.  The  President  had  called  for  three  hundred 
thousand  more  soldiers.  This,  it  will  be  remembered, 
.followed  the  seven  days'  fight  before  Richmond,  ending 
(July  1st)  in  the  defeat  of  the  Confederates  at  Malvern 
Hill — a  victory,  however,  with  a  dark  omen  in  it,  as  it 
looked  towards  McClellan's  failure. 

July  4th.  The  officers,  giving  five  dollars  each,  made 
up -a  fund,  and  furnished  the  men  in  the  ranks  with  a 
grand  dinner  of  lobster  and  green  peas.  The  day  was 
celebrated  by  suspension  of  routine  service,  save  guard 
duty,  and  the  men  had  a  fantastical  parade  and  review 
in  the  afternoon.  Lieutenant  James  P.  Taylor  delivered 
a  patriotic  oration,  and  in  the  evening  the  men  enjoyed 
a  pyrotechnic  display  by  burning  the  rebel  barracks  near 
our  camp.  On  the  same  day,  General  McDowell  started 
with  Ricketts'  division  for  Catlett  Station  and  "Warrenton. 

July  6th.  Reports  reached  us  that  Governor  Sprague 
had  appointed  as  our  Colonel  the  Major  of  the  Harris 
Light  Cavalry,  of  New  York,  a  battalion  then  serving  as 
McDowell's  body-guard.  The  name  of  the  appointee 
was  Alfred  N.  Duffie  (Doof-yea).  Never  was  a  camp 
thrown  into  greater  commotion  and  indignation.  This 
sensation  had  its  spring  in  our  appreciation  of  Lieuten 
ant-Colonel  Sayles,  and  the  Governor's  pledges  to  us. 
When  the  report  was  substantiated  by  official  documents, 
nearly  all  the  officers  handed  in  their  resignations,  and 
well-nigh  mutinous  purposes  broke  out  in  the  ranks. 
Most  of  our  resignations  were  refused;  those  of  Lieuten 
ant-Colonel  Sayles  and  Major  Anthony  were  finally  ac 
cepted;  a  few  were  conciliated  by  furloughs.  The  fol 
lowing  letter  from  the  Governor  to  Captain  Farrington 
may  explain  his  action: 


ie  to  at< 


•t  a  brief  paper,  prepared  about  this  tirm; 

we  do  this  because  the  Colonel  w:ie. 

hereafter  may.  desire  some  sketch 

TIE  DCJFFIE.     He  was  born  of  worthy 
e  citv  of  Paris,  Mav  1,  1835.     From  hi.«? 


104  SABRES    AND    SPURS. 

Two  years  were  passed  at  St.  Cyr  in  studies  and  drill, 
pertaining  to  cavalry,  infantry  and  staff  service.  Com 
pleting  the  appointed  course  and  examinations,  he  was 
promptly  commissioned  a  Lieutenant  in  the  French 
army,  and  went  immediately  into  active  service,  first 
in  Algiers,  and  afterwards  in  Senegal,  in  Africa,  from 
whence  he  brought  off  a  wound  for  his  valor. 

On  the  opening  of  the  Russian  war  he  accompanied 
his  regiment  to  the  Crimea,  where  he  gallantly  performed 
his  duty  in  the  battles  of  Alma,  Inkerman,  Balaclava, 
Chernaia,  Gangel,  and  Sebastopol,  receiving  scars  on  the 
different  fields,  and  winning  promotion  as  First  Lieuten 
ant  in  the  Fifth  Huzzar  Regiment.  Returning  from  the 
Crimea  in  1856,  after  the  close  of  that  memorable  con 
test,  he  served  at  home  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  Aus 
trian  struggle,  when  he  marched  against  the  new  enemy, 
and  behaved  bravely  till  a  severe  wound  compelled  him 
to  leave  the  field  for  the  hospital. 

For  his  accomplishments  and  heroism  he  received  four 
distinguished  decorations  from  as  many  imperial  powers; 
the  Cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honor  from  his  own  country; 
the  Sardinian  Cross  from  the  Emperor  of  Sardinia,  who 
decorated  him  with  his  own  hand  as  he  lay  wounded; 
the  Turkish  Cross  from  the  Sultan;  and  the  English 
Cross  from  Victoria.  Twice  as  numerous  as  his  decora 
tions  are  his  wounds  received  in  battle — the  enduring 
insignia  of  a  tried  soldier. 

He  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  autumn  of  1860, 
primarily  to  visit  Saratoga  for  medical  relief.  On  the 
outbreaking  of  the  rebellion,  by  solicitation,  he  accepted 
a  captaincy  in  the  First  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  and  shortly 
after  (July,  18(51,)  was  appointed  Major  of  the  Harris 
Light  Cavalry,  where  he  won  reputation  in  drill  and 
action.  His  promotion  in  this  country  was  due  to  his- 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  105- 

superior  knowledge  and  skill,  and  to  our  lack  of  thorough 
cavalry  men  to  meet  the  needs  of  our  armies. 

He  is  of  medium  stature,  erect  form,  light  frame,  ner 
vous  temperament,  dark  complexion,  full  hazel  eyes, 
black  hair;  athletic  in  action,  humorous  in  manner, 
exact  in  routine,  firm  in  discipline,  and  thoroughly  ac 
complished  in  his  profession. 

July  10th.     The  Colonel  issued  the  following  order: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  > 

MANASSAS,  July  10,  1862. 
Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  : 

In  taking  command  of  this  regiment  as  your  Colonel,  I  was 
pained  and  grieved  to  see  a  disinclination  on  your  part  to  receive 
a  stranger,  manifested  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave  no  doubts  as 
to  your  sentiments.  If  it  has  pleased  your  much  beloved  Gov 
ernor  and  the  War  Department  at  Washington  to  make  a  change 
in  the  construction  of  your  executive  department,  as  good  soldiers, 
patriots,  and  defenders  of  the  one  great  and  holy  cause  now  ani 
mating  all  true  American  hearts,  it  is  your  bounden  duty  to  God 
and  man,  to  the  cause  of  human  liberty  throughout  the  -entire 
world,  to  every  manly  impulse,  to  every  hope  of  peace  and  hap 
piness  for  yourselves  and  your  posterity,  that  you  sink  all  personal 
considerations  in  one  great  holocaust,  whose  flames  shall  illumine 
a  world,  and  whose  end  shall  be  Union. 

As  for  myself,  I  like  you.  You  have  all  the  material  for  suc 
cess.  I  say  it  not  in  the  poor  spirit  of  mere  compliment,  nor  with 
the  slightest  disrespect  for  your  former  commander,  as  circum 
stances  beyond  his  control  may  have  prevented  him  from  giving 
to  you  the  benefit  of  his  undoubted  military  knowledge;  but  I 
like  you,  and  here  say  to  you,  in  my  place,  that  if  you  will  give 
to  me  your  undivided  time  and  labor  for  the  space  of  a  few  weeks, 
I  will  add  to  them  my  own  best  endeavors  to  make  you  at  once 
the  pride  and  glory  of  your  own  gallant  States  and  of  the  nation. 

Soldiers!  Do  you  hear  me?  Soldiers!  Do  you  answer  me'' 
Say,  Yes !  and  fear  not  the  result. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE,  Colonel  Commanding. 


106  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

Our  commander  labored  under  but  one  serious  disad 
vantage — his  difficulty  in  the  idioms  of  our  language; 
this,  however,  he  gradually  overcame. 

July  llth.  We  received  orders  to  be  ready  to  move  at 
one  hour's  notice,  Avith  ten  days'  rations;  but  as  our  outfit 
was  incomplete,  final  marching  orders  were  delayed. 

July  16th.  Governor  Sprague  again  visited  us,  and 
with  General  McDowell  reviewed  the  command  at  the 
General's  headquarters.  On  his  return  to  our  camp,  he 
made  the  necessary  promotions  to  fill  existing  vacancies 
in  the  field  and  line. 

July  17th.  The  officers  were  assigned  their  several 
commands,  and  vigorous  preparations  were  resumed  to 
be  ready  for  the  front.  The  following  was  the  roster  of 
the  regiment  at  this  time: 

FIELD    AND    STAFF. 

Colonel,  ALFRED  N.  DUFFIE. 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  JOHN  L.  THOMPSON. 
Major,  PRESTON  M.  FARRINGTON. 

"      EDMUND  C.  BURT. 

"      JOHN  WHIPPLE,  Jr. 
Adjutant,  CHARLES  S.  TREAT. 
Quartermaster,  CHARLES  A.  LEONARD. 
Commissary,  LEONARD  B.  PRATT. 
Surgeon,  J.  B.  GREELEY. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  AUGUSTINE  A.  MANN. 
Chaplain,  Rev.  F.  DENISON. 

LINE   OFFICERS. 

TROOP  A. — Captain,  JOSHUA  VOSE;  First  Lieutenant, 
JAMES  P.  VOSE;  Second  Lieutenant,  K.  J.  BURGESS. 

TROOP  B. — Captain,  A.  II.  BIXBY;  First  Lieutenant, 
H.  P.  BARKER;  Second  Lieutenant,  C.  C.  LEONARD. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  107 

TROOP  C. — Captain,  GEORGE  N.  BLISS;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  CHARLES  H.  THAYER;  Second  Lieutenant,  JAMES 
P.  TAYLOR. 

TROOP  D.— Captain,  CHARLES  N.  MANCHESTER;  First 
Lieutenant,  FRANK  ALLEN;  Second  Lieutenant,  CHARLES 
A.  SAWYER. 

TROOP  E. — Captain,  ALLEN  BAKER,  Jr.;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  EDWARD  E.  CHASE;  Second  Lieutenant,  L.  B. 
SHURTLIFF. 

TROOP  F.— Captain,  JOHN  ROGERS;  First  Lieutenant, 
RICHARD  WATERMAN;  Second  Lieutenant,  JAMES  M. 
FALES. 

TROOP  G.— Captain,  JOSEPH  J.  GOULD;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  C.  G.  A.  PETERSON;  Second  Lieutenant,  OTIS  C. 
WYATT. 

TROOP  H.— Captain,  W.  H.  TURNER,  Jr.;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  RUFUS  HIGGINS;  Second  Lieutenant,  J.  B.  COOK. 

TROOP  I.— Captain,  S.  R.  SWETT;  First  Lieutenant, 
L.  D.  GOVE;  Second  Lieutenant,  G.  H.  THOMPSON. 

TROOP  K. — Captain,  ARNOLD  WYMAN;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  -  — ;  Second  Lieutenant,  BARNARD  ELLIS. 

TROOP  L.— Captain,  W.  C.  CAPRON;  First  Lieutenant, 
GEORGE  H.  RHODES;  Second  Lieutenant,  -  — . 

TROOP  M.— Captain,  J.  J.  PRENTICE;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  J.  F.  ANDREWS;  Second  Lieutenant,  W.  P.  PREN 
TICE. 

• 

July  18th.  Major  Burt,  United  States  Paymaster,  to 
our  great  cheer,  paid  us  to  July  1st. 

July  19th.  Mr.  Allen  Baker,  of  Providence,  R.  L, 
arrived  in  camp  to  visit  his  son  and  bring  us  welcome 
news  from  our  friends  at  home.  Some  will  remember 
his  pleasant  face  and  kind  words,  and  the  visit  made 


108  SABRES    AXD    SPURS. 

>vith  him  (July  21st)  to  Bull  Run  battle  field,  and  also 
the  visit  to  McDowell's  headquarters,  when  moved  to 
Warrenton. 

July  20th.  Allen  R.  Paine  (Troop  D)  died  of  fever, 
in  the  General  Hospital  at  Alexandria, 

July  22d.  John  Winsor  (Troop  A)  died  of  injuries 
received  by  falling  from  his  horse,  and  was  buried  with 
honors  by  the  regiment,  on  the  right  of  our  camp. 

In  our  funerals,  and  in  all  our  religious  services,  the 
Colonel,  though  a  Catholic,  attended,  and  required  the 
attendance  of  all  not  on  duty.  One  might  have  supposed 
him  to  be  a  genuine  Protestant,  so  liberal  was  his  spirit; 
and  he  regarded  religious  worship  as  of  great  importance 
to  his  men.  On  the  first  Sabbath  after  taking  command, 
orders  were  issued  for  the  regiment  to  attend  worship,  as 
a  body,  and  an  understanding  was  had  with  the  officers 
that  all  persons  applying  to  be  excused  should  be  referred 
to  the  Colonel.  Before  long  a  case  occurred,  and  the  fol 
lowing  dialogue  ensued: 

Soldier.     "  Colonel,  I  wish  to  be  excused  from  service. " 

Colonel.  "Why  excused?  The  Chaplain  a  good  man ; 
he  preach  nothing  bad;  he  do  good." 

Soldier.     "  But,  Colonel,  I  am  a  Catholic." 

Colonel.  "Ah!  you  a  Catholic?  Very  well;  I  am 
glad.  I  am  a  Catholic,  and  I  attend  service.  You  will 
attend  service.  Be  ready." 

As  others  besides  ourselves  may  be  interested  in  the 
mention  of  our  daily  regimental  exercise  and  school  of 
arms,  we  copy  the  order: 

A.  M.  Reveille,  5  o'clock;  breakfast,  5£;  regimental 
drill,  G;  recall,  8;  sick  call,  8;  water  call  and  grain  feed 
ing,  8;  guard  mounting,  9;  instruction  of  bugles,  9-11; 
stable  call  and  hay  feeding,  10-10^;  officers'  call,  10|; 
dinner,  12.  P.  M.  Fatigue  call,  1;  water  call,  3£; 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  109 

stable  cull  and  grain  feeding,  4-4|;  dress  parade  and 
regimental  drill,  5;  recall,  7;  supper,  7;  hay  feeding,  7; 
tattoo,  84;  taps,  9. 

July  27th.  "Assembly  call "  brought  us  into  a  hol 
low  square  on  the  parade  at  nine  and  a  half  o'clock  A. 
M. ,  to  listen  to  Mr.  Lincoln's  order  relative  to  the  death 
of  Martin  Van  Buren,  after  which  followed  our  order  of 
worship:  hymn  No.  11  of  our  manual,  reading  fifth 
Psalm,  prayer,  short  sermon  from  John  xii.,  27,  doxol- 
ogy,  and  benediction.  By  request  the  Chaplain  then 
read  the  following  paper: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  ) 
MANASSAS,  July  27,  1862.          \ 
[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  18.] 
Oj[ir<T*  niitl  men  of  the  First  Rhode  Isl<md  Regiment  of  Cavalry: 

The  proudest  satisfaction  a  commander  can  feel  is  mine — that  of 
seeing-  the  proficiency  of  his  command  in  discipline,  in  drill,  and  in 
soldierly  exercises;  that  of  feeling  that  he  has  the  respect,  the 
esteem,  the  confidence  and  affection  of  his  soldier  comrades;  and, 
above  all,  the  sure  knowledge  that  he  can  take  into  the  field  a  regi 
ment  of  men  who,  with  able  hands  and  willing  hearts,  in  the  thick 
est  of  the  fray,  will  let  their  blows  fall  fastest  when  the  battle 
rages  hottest;  confiding  in  their  honor  of  right,  in  their  might,  and 
their  education — in  the  great  momentum  of  intelligence,  as  op- 
posecl  to  mere  brute  force ;  men  who,  in  the  name  of  God  and  our 
native  land,  will  strike  to  the  earth  those  enemies  of  human 
liberty  and  human  rights,  who  have  applied  the  agrarian  torch  to 
the  grandest  fabric  in  human  hands — our  American  Union. 
By  order: 

A.  N.  DUFFLE,  Colonel  Commanding. 

Hearty  cheers  followed  the  reading  of  this  order.  The 
Colonel  was  delighted  with  our  regiment  on  account  of 
the  character  and  intelligence  in  it: -so  different  from 
what  lie  had  seen  in  European  armies. 

In  our  refit  the  entire  command  was  supplied  with 
10 


110  SABRES    AND   SPURS. 

pistols,  while  many  of  the  old  carbines  were  retained. 
All  our  sabres  and  spurs  were  in  order.  The  officers 
assumed  close-fitting  short  jackets  of  navy  blue,  with 
gold  lace  trimmings,  giving  us  a  light  and  spirited  look. 
Everything  was  planned  with  a  view  to  swift  and  effect 
ive  action.  When  Lieutenant  Bixby  (Troop  L)  was  pro 
moted  to  the  captaincy  of  Troop  B,  his  old  command 
made  him  a  present  (July  30th)  of  a  fifty  dollar  sabre 
.and  belt.  The  presentation  speech  and  the  Captain's 
reply  were  of  a  high  and  inspiriting  order.  Our  line  and 
ranks  could  boast  of  eloquence. 

Of  course  we  had  hours  of  mirth  and  merriment.  But 
the  Colonel  put  his  foot  upon  whisky  and  gambling. 
Yet  these  would  slyly  creep  around  the  margin  of  the 
camp.  One  day  the  Colonel,  taking  a  stroll  into  the 
forest,  discovered  a  squad  of  men,  in  a  leafy  bower,  ab 
sorbed  with  their  cards.  Silently  approaching  them,  he 
found  they  had  made  up  "a  pot,"  and  were  calling  to 
one  another,  in  the  parlance  of  the  game,  to  "chip  in." 
Springing  into  the  circle,  he  cried,  "You  chip  in;  I  take 
the  pot,"  and,  grasping  the  money,  turned  back  to  camp. 
Coming  upon  the  parade,  he  met  the  Chaplain— treas 
urer  of  the  regimental  fund— and  said,  "Ah!.  Chaplain, 
I'm  the  lucky  boy.  I  have  the  money.  I  find  money 
for  our  band.  Now  we  have  more  instruments  and 
music.  My  boys  chip  in;  I  take  the  pot." 

Old  rye  was  obtainable  by  the  men  only  on  the  ground 
of  sickness,  and  then  only  by  an  order  from  the  Colonel. 
One  of  a  dry  squad  volunteered  to  play  the  sick,  and 
appeared  at  headquarters,  with  canteen  in  hand,  where 
occurred  the  following  interview: 

Soldier.     "  Colonel,  I  wish  an  order  for  whisky." 
Colonel.     "You  sick?     What   the   matter?     Whisky 
make  you  sick."     Pointing  to  the  canteen,   he   added, 


1802.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  Ill 

"That  much  make  you  walk  bad;  make  your  eye  look 
red.  You  sick?  I  give  you  something  to  make  you 
Avell."  Giving  him  a  small  glass,  he  added,  "  You  feel 
better  bye  and  bye.  I  give  no  order.  AY  hen  you  sick 
and  want  whisky,  come  to  me;  I  see  if  you  are  sick.  If 
yon  not  sick,  I  give  you  h — 1." 

General  Pope  was  vigorously  organizing  the  Army  of 
Virginia  to  make  a  demonstration  against  Richmond  by 
the  Way  of  Culpepper  and  Orange  Court  House,  and  as 
yet  the  whole  rebel  army  was  with  Lee.  So,  except  light 
picket  duty  and  occasional  excursions  in  search  of  guer 
rillas,  our  time  and  attention  were  devoted  to  the  duties 
and  exercises  of  our  camp,  which  was  a  military  school, 
often  remarkably  interesting  and  exciting.  The  drill  of 
squads,  with  sabres,  with  carbines,  with  pistols;  the  drill 
of  troops  and  battalions;  the  variety  of  movements,  by 
walk,  by"  trot,  by  gallop;  the  advance,  the  retreat,  the 
charge,  the  recall,  the  rally, — all  were  absorbing  to  us 
and  to  all  spectators.  There  sprung  up  a  splendid  esprit 
de  corps,  and  we  were  justly  proud  of  our  order  and 
attainments.  And  we  were  often  selected  to  drill  in 
public  and  at  general  reviews.  This  was  due  both  to  the 
skill  of  Colonel  Duffie  and  the  intelligence  and  noble 
manhood  in  the  command. 

Our  camp  was  a  school,  indeed;  a  preparation  for 
march  and  battle;  for  dashing  over  plains,  threading 
mountain  passes,  fording  creeks  and  rivers;  now  tracking 
and  now  avoiding  the  foe;  videtting  forests;  charging' 
the  enemy's  lines;  forming  battle  front;  plunging  at  last 
beneath  the  awful  war  clouds,  to  leave  in  gory  shrouds 
some  of  our  loved  and  heroic  brothers. 


112  SABKES    AND   SPURS.  [August, 


CHAPTER    XII. 

ON     TO    THE     RAPIDAN. 
AUGUST,  1862. 

[HE -war  storm  thickened  around  Richmond.  Gen 
eral  Pope,  to  relieve  the  pressure  on  McClellan's 
army,— now  smitten  and  driven  back — proposed  to  draw 
off  some  of  Lee's  forces,  by  making  a  feint,  or  actual 
attack,  on  his  rear,  by  advancing  upon  Gordonsville. 
Our  regiment  was  to  act  in  his  van.  His  entire  army- 
Army  of  Virginia— numbered  about  thirty-eight  thous 
and  men,  of  which  about  five  thousand  were  cavalry. 
His  front,  before  moving,  extended  from  Fredericksburg 
to  the  gaps  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  We  were  in  Ricketts' 
division,  of  McDowell's  corps,  but  reported  directly  to 
McDowell. 

August  1st.  At  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  we  received  orders 
to  march  immediately  to  the  ford  of  the  Rappahannock, 
nuar  the  burned  bridge  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad.  Up  went  our  cheers,  and  down  went  our 
tents.  Blankets  and  coats  were  rolled;  can  ties  and  pom- 
els  were  freighted;  company  and  regimental  wagons  were 
loaded;  haversacks  were  crowded  with  rations;  our  camp 
furniture  and  every  pet  thing  was  cast  aside.  Resident 


18t!2.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  113 

and  "  contraband  "  negroes  stood  ready  to  pick  the  camp 
carcass.  By  four  o'clock  P.  M.  we  were  in  regimental 
column,  with  our  train  attached.  Sheds,  arbors,  and 
whatever  might  give  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemy,  were 
devoted  to  flames.  With  an  impressive  ceremony,  pecu 
liar  to  our  regiment,  our  standard  was  received  to  our 
centre  by  salutes  and  music,  and  the  bugles  sounded  tlie 
"forward."  How  imposing  the  sight  of  the  long,  bright 
line,  headed  by  the  advance  guard;  followed  by  the  cheery 
band,  playing  national  airs;  then  the  gay  field  officers; 
then  each  glittering  troop  with  its  waving  guidon,  the 
men  formed  by  twos;  then  the  full  wagon  train;  lastly 
the  rear-guard;  the  whole  column  reaching  more  than  a 
mile. 

Strange  emotions  came  over  us  as  we  looked  back  upon 
the  burning  camp,  full  of  so  many  memories,  and  then 
turned  our  faces  towards  the  field  of  action  that  in  vision 
lay  before  us,  for  we  knew  that  we  were  marching  to 
battle.  Again  we  passed  through  the  ruins  of  Manassas. 
The  young  moon  gave  us  a  little  light  for  a  few  hours, 
when  we  had  the  fortune  to  lose  our  way  in  the  dense  oak 
forests,  compelling  a  few  extra  miles  of  march.  Reach 
ing  Bristoe  as  the  moon  bade  us  good-night  over  the 
mountains,  in  the  groves  and  on  the  hill-side  we  lighted 
our  camp  fires,  heated  our  coffee,  ate  our  bread,  and 
wrapped  ourselves  in  our  blankets  for  the  sweet  oblivion 
of  sleep. 

Human  nature  is  many  sided;  the  tragic  and  comic 
elements  in  us  lie  side  by  side,  as  the  muscles  for  weep 
ing  and  laughing  do  in  the  face.  Does  this  explain'  why 
there  is  but  a  step  between  the  sublime  and  the  ridicu 
lous?  Into  our  bivouac  was  brought  a  spy — a  Mr.  Ran 
dolph,  just  from  Richmond.  In  consideration  of  his 
age,  the  officers,  occupying  an  old,  deserted  mansion, 
10* 


114  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

assigned  to  Mr.  Randolph  a  crazy  sofa  to  help  his  dreams, 
while  we  made  proof  of  the  floor.  After  reporting,  with 
some  pride,  that  he  had  a  son,  whom  he  called  Bob,  com 
missioned  in  the  rebel  army,  he  stretched  himself  upon 
the  rickety  sofa,  and  very  sanctimoniously  repeated  at 
length  his  evening  prayers,  not  forgetting  to  pray  for  the 
Confederacy  and  its  armies.  On  closing,  Lieutenant 
Barker  inquired  further  about  his  son,  and  added  that 
we  might  yet  meet  him  and  show  him  how 'to  "bob." 
At  this,  the  old  secession  saint  sprung  from  his  sofa  to 
the  floor,  and  favored  us  with  the  hottest  volley  of  oaths 
and  anathemas  we  ever  heard.  When  he  slacked  his  fire, 
Lieutenant  Barker  coolly  remarked,  "Well,  my  friend, 
wouldn't  it  be  best  now  to  lie  down  again,  and  repeat 
those  prayers?" 

August  2d.  Greeted  by  our  bugles  and  the  morning 
light,  we  accepted  soldiers'  fare,  sprung  to  our  saddles, 
handsomely  received  our  standard  to  the  centre,  and 
advanced.  Through  forest,  field  and  intervale,  across 
streams,  creeks  and  runs,  we  wound  our  way  along  the 
line  of  the  railroad,  passing  Catlett,  Warrenton  Junction, 
Bealton,  and  Rappahannock  Village,  and  halted  at  three 
o'clock  P.  M.  just  below  the  burned  bridge,  on  the 
margin  of  the  river,  having  marched,  in  twenty-four 
hours,  thirty  miles,  which  is  a  full  day's  march  for  cav 
alry.  It  was  August,  remember.  Was  it  warm  on  that 
march?  Ask  the  troopers:  sudor  fluit  undique  rivis. 
Our  halts  were  few  and  brief.  Then  what  became  of  the 
large,  luscious  bush  blackberries?  They  seceded.  Some 
times  our  wagons  stuck  in  the  lowlands,  for  the  fiery 
glances  of  a  summer  sun  were  insufficient  to  compel  old 
Virginia  to  dry  up.  We  passed  the  construction  corps 
engaged  in  rebuilding  the  railroad,  about  six  miles  back 
from  the  Rappahannock,  with  some  small  bridges  yet 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRT. 

unfinished  in  their  rear.  Thus  again  we  were  beyond 
the  reach  of  supply  trains,  and  the  sacred  soil  had  to 
furnish  us  what  we  did  not  bring  in  our  wagons.  Of 
course  we  did  all  things  modestly,  quietly  and  lawfully, 
under  General  Pope's  severe  orders  to  receipt  for  what 
we  must  take,  and  to  punish  plundering.  We  remem 
ber  the  Colonel's  charge  to  the  regiment,  given  with  a 
twinkle  of  the  eye,  "  Don't  you  let  me  see  you  when  you 
take  anything." 

But  few  inhabitants  were  found  in  the  regions  we 
passed;  all  the  able-bodied  had  joined  themselves  to  the 
Southern  side.  What  blacks  had  not  been  pressed  south, 
or  escaped  towards  Washington,  stood  in  their  hut  doors, 
or  by  the  wayside,  enamored  with  our  loyal  music  and 
rejoicing  in  our  advance,  for  they  regarded  the  war  as 
the  long  prayed  for  day  of  their  deliverance. 

On  the  outpost,  confronting  Culpepper,  surrounded  by 
secessionists,  and  watched  by  spies  calling  themselves 
"  Union  men,"  our  bivouac  was  in  perfect  military  order, 
every  man  in  his  place  and  on  the  alert.  High  and 
proudly  the  Stars  and  Stripes  were  lifted  in  front  of  our 
headquarters.  We  were  on  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Bowen, 
a  chief  land-holder  of  this  region,  now  in  years,  whose 
hospitality  some  of  the  officers  shared  at  his  mansion, 
but  whose  Union  sentiments  were  like  Joseph's  coat.  A 
smart  mulatto  boy,  who  joined  us  at  Bealton,  belonged 
to  this  lord  of  the  soil,  as  no  one  would  doubt  who  saw 
the  two  faces.  Slavery  was  a  patriarchal  institution, 
with  a  prodigious  tail  to  it. 

Major  Swett,  who  had  lately  succeeded  Major  Burt, 
with  his  huge  Spanish  spurs  that  meant  business,  from 
a  reconnoissance  towards  Kelly's  Ford,  brought  into- 
camp  two  wealthy  south-sided  citizens,  G.  G.  Kelly  and 
Mr.  Clifton,  who  were  required  to  take  the  oath  of  al- 


116  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [August, 

legiance  to  our  Government  or  become  prisoners,  but 
who  stuck  at  the  demand.  Mr.  Clifton,  after  stoutly 
swearing  against  the  United  States,  concluded  to  wilt, 
at  least  verbally,  in  the  direction  of  loyalty.  Cases  of 
this  kind  were  too  numerous.  It  ought  to  be  stated, 
however,  that  the  majority  of  the  Southern  people  were 
strangely  and  strongly  conscientious  in  their  secession 
scheme,  and  hence  they  fought  bravely  and  persistently 
till  the  star  of  their  hope  went  down. 

Finding  some  corn  and  wheat  in  this  vicinity,  our  boys 
took  possession  of  the  grist-mill  near  the  railroad  cross 
ing,  and  run  it  in  the  interest  of  the  Quartermaster's  de 
partment.  In  like  manner  the  mill  at  Kelly's  Ford  was 
conscripted  to  transform  rebel  grain  into  loyal  meal.  At 
this  latter  ford,  we  found  the  well  known  John  P.  Kelly, 
then  eighty-one  years  of  age,  and  an  invalid,  formerly  a 
very  wealthy  gentleman,  now  in  a  pitiable  condition:  his 
eighty  negroes  had  escaped;  his  cattle  and  produce  had 
been  swept  off  by  the  war  waves;  his  cloth  mills  had  been 
robbed  of  their  machinery  by  the  Richmond  authorities; 
and  he,  with  a  broken  limb,  was  sick  and  near  his  grave, 
while  "John  Brown's  soul  was  marching  on." 

August  4th.  The  construction  corps,  with  previously 
prepared  timbers,  reached  the  river,  and  in  two  days  the 
engineers  sprung  a  new  tressel  bridge,  in  thirty-six  bents, 
four  hundred  feet  from  bank  to  bank.  On  the  Culpep- 
p'.'i1  bank  the  rebels  had  constructed  a  strong  stockade 
fort,  and,  on  the  bluffs,  on  both  banks,  had  erected 
earthworks  of  considerable  pretensions;  but  these  were 
not  their  "last  ditch." 

August  6th.  Obedient  to  orders,  early  in  the  morn 
ing,  we  forded  the  Rappahannock,  just  below  the  bridge, 
organized  our  column,  lifted  our  guidons,  received  our 
standard  to  the  centre,  sent  our  band  to  the  rear  with 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  117 

our  train,  threw  out  our  skirmishers  and  advance  guard,, 
under  Lieutenant  Wyatt,  detailed  our  rear-guard,  under 
Lieutenant  Thayer,  and  commenced  our  march  for  Cul 
pepper  Court  House.  All  our  precautions  were  necessary, 
as  we  were  on  the  left  front  of  the  army,  and  during  the 
preceding  night  a  guerrilla  party  had  approached  the 
bridge,  alarming  the  engineers  and  calling  from  us  a 
guard.  There  were  no  Federal  pickets  on  our  front  or 
left. 

Some  of  McDowell's  forces  were  at  the  same  time  ad 
vancing  far  off  on  our  right.  Something  of  a  warlike 
sight  it  was  to  look  upon  our  skirmishers/with  upraised, 
ready  pistols,  advancing  on  our  right  and  left,  while  the 
bannered,  steel-armed  column  wound  its  great  length 
over  plains  and  through  forests — the  beautiful  but  almost 
utterly  abandoned  plantations.  A  remnant  of  the  old 
slave  population  remained  to  gaze  with  wonder  and  joy 
upon  the  banner  of  the  free.  It  had  been  said  by  a 
wealthy  citizen  of  Culpepper  that  not  one  white  man  in 
all  that  country  would  ever  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 
the  United  States.  On  account  of  the  extreme  heat,  we 
occasionally  halted  for  water  and  rest.  Over  the  hot, 
deserted,  silent  lands,  large,  lazy  turkey-buzzards  were 
leisurely  sailing,  as  if  scenting  the  prey  they  were  soon  to 
find  on  the  ensanguined  field.  Heavy  grass  remained 
uncut  and  perishing,  and  a  portion  of  the  wheat  crop 
was  standing  in  shock  in  the  fields. 

Keaching  Culpepper  before  noon,  we  found  General 
McDowell  had  just  arrived  and  selected  his  headquarters 
in  the  suburbs  with  Mr.  Wallack,  the  editor  of  the  Wash 
ington  Star.  A  few  regiments  were  in  and  around  the 
town.  A  few  Confederate  prisoners  were  there,  captured 
some  days  before  by  our  scouts  near  Madison  Court 
House,  among  them  a  major  of  cavalry  named  Marshall. 


118  SABRES   AND   SL3URS.  [ August . 

A  beautiful  little  aristocratic  city  was  Culpepper,  encom 
passed  by  fertile  vales  and  hills,  and  prior  to  the  rebellion 
boasted  about  twelve  hundred  inhabitants;  half  of  these, 
the  rich  and  political,  had  passed  within  the  rebel  lines. 
On  the  first  occupancy  of  the  town  by  our  troops,  the 
proud  and  traitorous  inhabitants,  chagrined  and  angered 
by  our  advance,  sent  a  deputation  of  F.  F.  V's  to  protest 
against  the  playing  of  our  national  airs  by  our  bands. 
Chivalry,  this!  Who  got  up  the  party?  They  forgot  to 
forbid  our  breathing!  But  we  afforded  them  such  music 
then  and  afterwards  as  probably  their  sensitive  ears  have 
never  forgotten. 

Halting  in  the  skirts  of  the  town  for  further  orders, 
most  of  us  were  refreshed  with  hard  bread,  water  and 
green  apples;  some  of  the  officers  having  nothing,  as  the 
sutlers  were  far  in  the  rear.  Receiving  written  orders, 
we  moved  at  five  o'clock  P.  M.,  with  a  guide,  in  a  south 
ern  direction,  over  charming  hills,  down  into  the  notori 
ous  Flat  Lands,  that  for  many  a  mile  in  length  and  width 
skirt  the  northern  bank  of  the  Rapidan,  and  arc  covered 
with  oak  forests,  relieved  by  large  plantations.  Thus 
beyond  all  Federal  outposts,  ten  miles  from  Culpepper, 
and  about  the  same  from  Rapidan  Station,  we  halted 
and  bivouacked  within  five  miles  of  Raccoon  Ford — a 
river  crossing  of  great  importance  to  forces  moving  north 
or  south.  From  this  point  on  the  Flat  Lands,  in  front 
of  the  ford,  we  were  to  hold  the  country  from  General 
Ha  yard's  line  near  Rapidan  Station  on  our  right,  by  the 
rivi-r  front  as  far  to  the  east  as  possible — quite  a  responsi 
bility  under  the  circumstances. 

Weary  and  hungry  from  our  march  of  eighteen  miles 
in  the  heat,  the  cribs  of  corn,  stacks  of  hay,  and  other 
supplies  found  on  the  plantations,  yielded  to  our  informal 
requisitions,  and  prepared  us  to  sleep  on  the  sun-baked 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  119 

earth.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson,  with  a  squadron 
and  our  guide,  explored  the  country  for  a  circuit  of 
miles  and%  learned  something  of  the  enemy's  force  on  the 
southern  bank  of  the  river.  In  due  time  our  wagon 
train  came  up  and  was  parked;  all  of  us  on  our  guard, 
with  a  sharp  lookout.  Of  course  our  sleep  was  mixed 
with  vigilant  calculations. 

August  7th.  We  sent  out  a  battalion,  under  Major 
Whipple,  on  scouting  service,  who  thoroughly  studied 
Raccoon  Ford,  leaving  a  troop  to  hold  it,"  and  visited 
Somerville  Ford,  a  few  miles  farther  up  the  river.  We 
threw  pickets  along  the  river  for  five  or  six  miles,  for 
during  the  previous  night  large  parties  of  rebel  cavalry 
had  crossed  and  borne  off  a  number  of  negroes.  Before 
our  arrival,  the  Confederates  had  robbed  the  country  of 
horses,  cattle,  and  the  main  articles  of  subsistence. 
Alarm  and  fear  ruled  all  around  us,  since  it  was  believed 
that  a  great  battle  was  imminent  in  that  region.  In 
fact,  three  corps  of  the  Confederate  army  were  moving 
up  to  the  Rapidan,  and  three  corps  of  the  Union  army 
were  moving  down  upon  it. 

Mr.  Vaugh's  plantation  afforded  berries,  green  corn, 
'possum,  and  tobacco.  However  it  might  have  seemed  to 
our  boys  to  appropriate  the  old  man's  fatted  'possum  from 
the  pen,  there  was  no  cash  market  for  his  stored  tobacco, 
so  they  smoked  with  quiet  consciences.  Terrified  "con 
trabands"  were  pressing  into  our  lines,  bringing  im 
portant  reports.  Firing  was  now  heard  up  the  river, 
along  the  line  held  by  General  Bayard  with  his  cavalry. 
The  enemy  were  shelling  him  from  the  right  bank,  and 
pushing  their  advance  across.  General  Buford,  on  the 
extreme  right  of  our  army,  was  being  pushed  back. 
General  Sigel  with  his  corps  was  at  Sperryville.  General  ' 
McDowell  with  most  of  his  corps,  and  Crawford's  brigade 


120  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [August, 

•of  Banks'  corps,  were  at  Culpepper.  General  Banks  was 
at  Hazel  River,  but  hurrying  forward  to  the  point  where 
the  enemy  had  commenced  the  attack.  We  were  on  the 
extreme  left  of  our  army  front,  without  any  supports, 
till  near  midnight  (August  7th),  when  the  First  Maine 
Cavalry  were  ordered  down  near  Raccoon  Ford. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

BATTLE    OF    CEDAR     MOUNTAIN. 
AUGUST,  1862. 

UGUST  8th.  From  a  messenger,  sent  in  hot 
haste,  we  had  orders  to  instantly  spur  to  the  relief 
and  support  of  General  Bayard,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cedar 
Mountain,  as  the  enemy,  advancing  from  Orange  Court 
House,  had  crossed  the  Rapidan  and  attacked  him,  and 
was  pushing  him  back.  Leaving  wagons  and  every  un 
necessary  thing,  we  regirt  our  belts,  jumped  to  our  sad 
dles,  and  were  immediately  in  column  and  on  our  hurried 
inarch  over  the  plantations.  By  a  route  of  about  eight 
miles  we  reached  Bayard,  holding  the  enemy  at  bay  on 
the  north  of  Cedar  Mountain.  He  had  been  skirmishing 
with  the  rebel  advance  guard  for  nearly  twenty-four 
hours,  and  had  lost  a  number  of  his  heroic  command. 
The  advancing  Confederate  forces  comprised  three  corps, 
viz.:  Jackson's,  Ewell's,  and  A.  P.  Hill's,  numbering 
more  than  twenty  thousand  men;  and  these  to  be  fol 
lowed  by  Longstreet's  corps,  to  be  held  as  reserves. 

Instantly  we  were  put  upon  the  front  as  pickets,  vi- 
dettes,  and  skirmishers,  along  the  base  of  Cedar  Mount 
ain,  and  westward  from    it  to   a  dense  forest.     Here, 
11 


122  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

confronting  the  enemy's  pickets  and  videttes,  we  found 
]u>  was  bringing  his  forces  into  position  in  the  forests 
along  the  top  of  the  mountain,  and  on  the  ridge  of  high 
lands  stretching  westward  to  the  woods  and  the  Orange 
wagon  road.  Save  a  few,  who  caught  "cat  naps"  on 
the  grass  or  in  the  bushes  in  the  rear  of  the  main  line, 
we  were  in  our  saddles  through  the  night,  watching  the 
movements  of  the  foe.  Colonel  Duffie  and  some  of  his 
staff  caught  a  brief  nap  in  a  cluster  of  blackberry  bushes; 
certainly  they  had  thorns  in  their  pillows.  Affairs  looked 
thorny  on  all  sides.  While  the  enemy's  forces  were  gather 
ing  and  forming  in  our  front,  portions  of  General  Banks' 
corps  were  coming  up  and  taking  position  in  the  valley 
in  our  rear. 

We  were  now  in  the  Second  Army  Corps  with  Bayard, 
under  Banks.  General  Buford,  up  to  the  right,  was  fall 
ing  back  from  Madison  Court  House.  Sigel  was  hurry 
ing  forward  from  Sperryvilje  to  our  support.  General 
Pope  had  just  reached  Culpepper,  where  McDowell  had 
11  Kissed  the  most  of  his  corps,  consisting  of  eighteen 
thousand  men.  Sigel  had  eleven  thousand  men;  Banks, 
eight  thousand,  and  the  cavalry  force  numbered  live 
thousand.  Unfortunately,  the  battle  was  thrown  wholly 
upon  Banks'  corps  of  eight  thousand.  They  had  to  con- 
lend  with  more  than  twenty  thousand  of  the  enemy — a 
vcrv  weighty  consideration. 

The  Confederates  too  had  the  better  position:  Cedar 
Mountain  as  their  right;  heavy  forests  on  their  left,  with 
a  front  of  open  ground  sloping  into  the  valley,  through 
which  ran  the  forked  brook  called  Cedar  Run.  Our 
forces  had  their  front  wholly  in  the  valley,  on  both  sides 
of  the  brook,  but  also  stretched  back  northeasterly  over 
the  rising  ground  and  into  the  forests  in  the  direction  of 
Culpepper. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  123 

The  valley  consisted  of  rolling  meadows  and  corn 
fields,  with  a  plateau  or  large  flat  knoll  in  the  centre,  on 
the  west  side  of  which  was  the  Crittenden  mansion. 
The  rebels  faced  nearly  northeast;  we  faced  nearly  south 
west.  They  hoped  to  draw  us  on  the  heights;  we  chose 
to  remain  in  open,  plain  ground;  yet  we  remained  under 
the  disadvantage  of  being  exposed  to  their  artillery  lire 
from  Cedar  Mountain. 

August  9th.  Crawford's  brigade  of  Banks'  corps  was 
on  the  field  during  the  night,  just  in  our  rear,  we  hold 
ing  the  extreme  front.  The  lines  of  battle  were  being 
formed  as  rapidly  as  possible,  along  a  front  of  about  a 
mile.  Musketry  fire  was  heard  on  our  right,  in  the 
woods,  among  the  pickets.  The  enemy  were  pushing 
forward,  and  we  were  holding  them  in  checkc  General 
Banks  now  came  upon  the  field  with  the  remainder  of 
his  corps.  In  front  of  us  the  rebel  cavalry,  artillery, 
and  infantry  were  openly  taking  advantageous  positions. 
General  Banks  was  disposing  his  force  in  our  rear  along 
the  valley.  The  body  of  our  regiment  occupied  the 
knoll  north  and  west  of  the  Crittenden  house,  just  in  the 
rear  of  our  skirmish  and  picket  line,  ready  to  receive  or 
make  a  charge,  as  circumstances  might  direct,  for  we 
were  constantly  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire. 

About  noon,  from  a  battery  on  Cedar  Mountain,  the 
rebels  commenced  throwing  shell  upon  our  command. 
Some  shots  burst  amongst  us;  some  passed  over  us  upon 
the  main  line.  We  had,  however,  but  one  man  un 
horsed.  The  assailing  battery  was  soon  silenced  by  the 
splendid  firing  of  our  artillery,  playing  over  our  heads. 
Other  rebel  batteries  were  soon  run  up  to  the  mountain 
crest,  and  the  rebel  infantry  was  pushed  into  the  woods 
nearer  to  our  front.  Under  cover  of  trees  and  heavy 
bushes,  the  enemy  finally  slipped  a  force  into  the  margin 


124  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

of  the  valley,  within  rifle  shot  of  our  skirmish  line,  which 
was  commanded  by  Major  Farrington.  This  force,  near 
three  o'clock  P.  M.,  rose  from  theii'  concealment  and 
opened  fire  in  earnest  upon  our  men.  The  hot  volley 
fell  upon  Major  Farrington  and  his  command,  who  re 
ceived  the  shock  with  utmost  coolness,  returning  the  fire 
with  precision  and  effect,  till,  having  spent  their  ammu 
nition,  they  obeyed  the  "recall,"  and  joined  the  body  of 
the  regiment  on  the  knoll.  The  firing  of  the  enemy  was 
so  high  that  we  lost  but  one  man  on  the  skirmish  line — 
John  Kiernan  (Troop  F),  his  horse  falling  dead  with  him. 

Now  the  battle  had  fairly  opened,  and  we  had  all  the 
music  we  desired,  to  say  nothing  of  lead  and  iron  that 
fell  like  hail  around  us.  Like  meteors  the  shell  howled 
and  broke  in  the  air  above  us.  As  the  artillery  of  both 
armies  played  over  us,  we  were  under  a  magnificent 
bridge  of  fire.  Shortly,  however,  we  were  ordered  into 
a  hollow  north  of  the  knoll,  but  still  on  the  extreme 
front,  to  repel  or  execute  a  charge,  as  occasion  might 
require. 

The  two  armies  were  now  pressing  together.  Jackson 
led  his  corps  against  our  right;  Ewell  led  his  command 
against  our  left;  both  were  thrown  forward  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  General  Banks  held  his  corps  handsomely  in 
hand  and  handled  it  heroically,  being  himself  often 
under  fire.  General  Williams  commanded  our  right; 
General  Augur  wielded  our  left.  The  day  was  hot — the 
battle  hotter. 

Repeatedly  the  rebels  attempted  infantry  charges  in 
front  of  us,  from  the  point  of  the  forest,  but  our  artil 
lery,  playing  over  our  regiment  with  grape  and  canister, 
cut  them  down  as  mowers  cut  grass.  We,  however,  were 
severely  scarred  by  the  enemy's  new  pieces  on  the  mount- 
ain.  Both  armies  were  now  in  the  dread  grapple.  The 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  125 

dense  war  cloud  in  the  valley  eclipsed  the  summer  sun. 
Bullets  whistled,  cannon  bellowed,  shell  screeched,  bugles 
blew,  and  carnage  reigned.  Clouds  of  dust  were  raised 
by  rushing  horses  and  battalions.  Still  we  remained 
exactly  between  the  fires,  though  sheltered  not  a  little 
by  the  hollow  we  occupied.  Our  forces  nobly  met  the 
shock.  General  Banks  reported  that  he  had  but  five 
thousand  in  the  real  action  against  twenty-five  thousand 
of  the  foe. 

In  this  position  on  the  front,  we  lost  J.  Mulvey  (Troop 
D),  Frank  Travers  (Troop  E),  Henry  Woodward  (Troop 
L),  and  eleven  horses*  Major  Whipple's  horse  was 
wounded,  and  Lieutenant  Barker's  horse  was  killed 
under  him.  The  following  men  were  wounded:  R.  Dur- 
den  (Troop  F),  B.  Potter  (Troop  H),  A.  A.  Hall,  L. 
Martin,  M.  L.  Parmenter  (Troop  K),  W.  II.  Caswell 
(Troop  L).  Two  men  were  captured.  But  for  the  pro 
tection  of  the  knoll  we  should  have  been  decimated. 

Xear  six  o'clock  P.  M.,  in  the  hottest  of  the  action,  as 
we  could  aid  no  further,  and  had  been  in  our  saddles 
twenty-four  hours  on  the  front,  we  were  ordered  to  fall 
back  for  rest  and  refreshment.  Coolly  we  brought  our 
guidons  through  the  wave  of  fire,  smoke  and  battle  dust, 
and  passed  through  the  centre  of  the  army  line  by  the 
Culpepper  road  to  the  Ward  plantation  and  halted,  where 
General  Pope  with  McDowell  and  his  corps  passed  us, 
hurrying  to  Banks'  support.  On  leaving  the  fiery  field, 
we  sent  our  report  to  General  Banks  by  Lieutenant  J. 
P.  Taylor,  who  returned  with  the  General's  reply:  "The 
Ehode  Island  Regiment  behaved  well."  With  sorrow  we 
record  that  this  was  the  last  service  rendered  us  by  this 
faithful  and  brave  Lieutenant,  and  the  last  we  ever  saw 
of  him. 

The  battle  continued  with  unabating  fury  till  night 


126  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [August, 

settled  down  on  the  bloody  field,  and  did  not  cease  wholly 
till  near  midnight.  Jackson  gained  a  portion  of  the  val 
ley  after  dark,  but  was  finally  unable  to  hold  it.  It  was 
counted  a  drawn  battle.  Our  army  lost  in  killed,  wound 
ed  and  captured,  about  eighteen  hundred  men.  The 
enemy  lost  more;  and  the  next  day  (August  10th)  fell 
back  to  Cedar  Mountain,  and  on  the  eleventh  retreated 
across  the  Rapidan. 

For  the  night  of  the  ninth,  we  threw  our  exhausted 
bodies  on  the  bare  earth  and  were  lulled  to  sleep  by  the 
roar  of  artillery  and  bursts  of  musket  volleys.  In  a  day 
of  severe  battle  the  human  organism  is  unconsciously  run 
at  a  high  rate  of  speed,  and  hence  greatly  exhausted  and 
worn.  Relative  to  our  conduct  in  this  action,  our  Col 
onel,  no  unqualified  judge  of  soldierly  behavior,  issued 
to  us  the  following: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY. 

[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  — .] 
Officers  and  men  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  : 

You  have  met  the  enemy  bravely.  You  had  the  post  of  honor 
•in  the  advance.  You  received  the  first  shock  of  the  battle  of 
Cedar  Mountain.  Although  no  opportunity  was  offered  you  for 
charging  upon  the  enemy's  lines,  you  as  calmly  and  fearlessly 
awaited  the  order  to  charge  amidst  that  terrible  tempest  of  shot 
and  shell  as  though  upon  an  evening  parade,  until  six  o'clock, 
after  having  been  three  hours  under  fire,  you  were  ordered  from 
the  field  to  other  duty.  For  this  I  thank  you.  Your  country 
thanks  you  in  the  name  of  God  and  liberty. 

Three  of  your  comrades  fell  gloriously  upon  the  field,  while 
three  others  will  carry  through  life  the  honorable  marks  of  wounds 
received  that  day. 

It  is  here  my  sad  duty  to  say  that  Lieutenant  J.  P.  Taylor 
(Troop  C),  after  having  faithfully  performed  his  duty  at  my  side 
during  the  day,  overcome  by  the  excessive  heat,  fell  a  martyr  to 
his  zeal.  He  died  the  morning  after  the  battle,  from  the  effect  of 
a  sunstroke  the  evening  before. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  127 

Soldiers!  we  have  yet  other  work  before  us.  Be  ready!  Strike 
hard,  and  spare  not. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE. 

Our  men  that  fell  on  the  field  were  carefully  and  tear 
fully  laid  in  the  trench  graves  with  the  gallant  dead  of 
New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio:  as  their  lives  were 
one  in  loyal  action,  their  bodies  were  one  in  their  rest. 
As  we  visited  the  field  after  the  battle,  and  moved  among 
the  burying  parties,  what  a  sight!  A  space  one  mile 
in  length,  and  nearly  the  same  in  width,  torn,  trodden, 
cannon  plowed,  bloody;  fences  and  corn  fields  obliterated; 
trees  splintered  and  even  cut  off  by  shot;  dead  men,  dead 
horses,  fragments  of  bodies,  broken  wagons,  remnants  of 
arms  and  equipage.  The  smell  of  the  field  was  well-nigh 
insupportable.  By  the  retreating  rebels  some  of  their 
dead  were  left  unburied,  though  a  flag  of  truce  was 
granted  for  their  removal.  The  Critteriden  house  was 
riddled  by  metal  and  stained  by  the  blood  of  the  -wounded. 

We  may  not  close  this  chapter  of  our  experience 
without  adding  the  following  tribute  from  the  pen  of 
Nathaniel  Gr.  Stan  ton,  M.  D.,  then  our  excellent  Hospital 
Steward: 

Lieutenant  JAMES  P.  TAYLOR.  He  was  the  son  of 
Anthony  V.  and  Martha  C.  Taylor,  and  was  born  in 
Newport,  R.  I.,  Januarys,  1822.  Soon  after  he  reached 
the  age  of  manhood  his  parents  removed  to  the  city  of 
Providence,  where  he  learned  the  art  of  wood-engraving, 
which  was  his  occupation  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment. 

He  was  commissioned  as  Second  Lieutenant  with  us 
December  24,  1861.  His  frank,  genial  manner,  his  in 
tegrity  and  high-toned  character,  won  him  warm  friends 
and  secured  for  him  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 
In  the  terrible  scenes  of  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain,  in 
which  he  served  as  an  aid  to  our  commander,  he  earned 


128  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

a  noble  record  for  unwavering  courage  at  the  post  of  duty 
and  danger. 

As  the  battle  took  place  on  a  day  of  extreme  heat, 
many  were  disabled  from  this  cause,  and  Lieutenant 
Taylor  was  among  the  number.  The  exhausting  labors 
incident  to  the  gallant  part  which  he  took  throughout 
the  action,  proved  too  much  for  his  endurance,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  battle  he  left  the  field  with  us,  but  greatly 
prostrated. 

Conscious  that  he  needed  different  ministrations  from 
those  that  could  be  obtained  in  a  bivouac,  he  started  for 
the  house  of  Mr.  William  Flint,  about  three  miles  dis 
tant,  and  arrived  there  too  feeble  to  utter  a  word.  He 
sank  rapidly  under  the  effects  of  the  sunstroke,  and  died 
the  next  morning,  Sunday,  August  10,  1862. 

\Ve  add  a  necessary  word.  Wrapped  in  a  cloth,  kindly 
furnished  from  the  house  of  Mr.  Flint,  then  being  used 
as  a  sort  of  hospital,  our  comrade  was  buried  in  a  single 
grave,  near  the  left  front  corner  of  the  house.  This 
mansion  is  about  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Culpepper, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  road.  The  Chaplain  visited  the 
spot  shortly  after  the  burial  and  learned  the  particulars 
here  stated.  Greatly  loved  and  lamented  was  our  good 
and  brave  Lieutenant.  His  fair  record  is  in  our  hearts 
and  in  the  worthy  annals  of  his  native  State. 

Martyr  for  Liberty!   ever  thy^name 
Brightly  shall  glow  on  the  roll  of  our  fame. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

RETREATING    AND     FIGHTING. 
AUGUST,  1862. 

UGUST  llth.  We  were  again  ordered  to  the* 
vicinity  of  Raccoon  Ford,  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  crossing.  Hastening  on,  we  halted  on  our  former 
camp  ground  on  the  Flat  Lands,  and  sent  out  two  bat 
talions  on  scout  and  picket  duty,  and  confronted  the 
pickets  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  up  the  river,  near  the  rail 
road.  We  captured  Samuel  Crossen,  of  the  Twenty-first 
Mississippi  Regiment,  and  John  Thornton,  of  Orange 
Court  House.  Thoroughly  wet  with  a  shower,  we  laid 
down  for  sleep  on  the  soft  breast  of  mother  earth.  We 
seldom  felt  our  relationship  more  closely.  Though  our 
train  finally  came  up,  it  remained  packed  and  parked, 
ready  for  an  emergency.  As  for  days  we  had  done,  we 
subsisted  on  bread  and  water;  and  the  summer  heat  was 
extreme.  During  the  night  a  squad  of  twelve  mounted 
rebels  attacked  Captain  Wyman  and  his  pickets,  but 
were  repulsed  with  better  lead  than  they  sent.  Our 
reports  were  sent  to  headquarters  through  the  signal 
station  on  Poney  Mountain,  about  three  miles  north  of 
our  bivouac;  but  the  next  day  a  signal  officer  took  his 
station  with  us  on  the  Flat  Lands. 


130  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

August  14th.  The  enemy  were  reported  in  force  on 
Clark's  Mountain.  From  Mr.  Wheaton's  plantation  we 
politely  detailed  a  negro,  Alexander,  a  good  blacksmith, 
without  his  master's  consent,  to  assist  us  in  re-shoeing 
some  of  our  horses. 

August  loth.  A  brigade  of  General  Burnside's  corps 
reached  us  and  took  position  on  out*  right,  we  remaining 
on  the  extreme  left  and  front;  and  General  Reno's  divis 
ion  passed  up  to  the  right  of  us  on  the  following  day. 
These  were  reinforcements  that  had  been  hurried  on  from 
Alexandria.  After  our  religious  services  (August  17th) 
we  had  orders  to  advance  to  the  right,  and  immediately 
moved  up  to  Mitchell's  Station,  near  Cedar  Mountain. 
Here  we  found  General  Carroll  with  a  bullet  in  his 
shoulder  just  received  from  a  rebel  sharp-shooter  on  the 
picket  line. 

August  18th.  Here  on  the  front  we  were  reviewed  by 
General  Roberts  in  the  presence  of  Generals  Pope  and 
McDowell,  and  pronounced  the  finest  appearing  and  best 
cavalry  regiment  in  the  Army  of  Virginia.  Of  course 
we  rubbed  up  our  spurs  and  sabres,  and  sat  very  erect 
under  our  guidons,  to  win  such  a  compliment.  That 
night  we  were  ordered  in  force  on  picket  duty  near  the 
Rapidan,  on  the  Orange  Turnpike,  relieving  the  Harris 
Light  Cavalry,  who  had  just  lost  Captain  Walters,  shot 
by  rebel  pickets.  Of  our  pillows  that  night,  for  such  as 
presumed  to  lie  down,  we  shall  leave  Captain  Manchester 
to  speak  privately.  The  enemy  was  now  again  advancing 
in  force  to  attack  us,  and  constantly  exchanging  shots 
with  our  pickets.  Shortly  after  midnight  orders  came 
to  fall  back  to  the  base  of  Cedar  Mountain;  and  we  could 
distinctly  hear  the  sounding  of  the  "long  roll"  in  the 
rebel  camps  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river. 

August  19th.     Near  sunrise  we  found  our  forces  mov- 


18G2.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  131 

ing  in  retreat.  Acting  as  left  skirmishers  and  flank 
guard  to  the  army,  we  gradually  fell  back  to  Culpepper, 
where  we  waited  for  Sigel's  corps  to  come  in  from  the 
right  and  pass  on  their  way  towards  the  Rappahannock. 
Xear  evening,  acting  as  rear-guard  to  all— one  of  the 
posts  of  honor  again— we  left  Culpepper,  shielding  the 
retreat  and  cleaning  the  road  of  abandoned  valuables  by 
fire  as  we  passed.  The  army  trains  falling  back  to  Rap 
pahannock  and  Warrenton  would  have  formed  a  single 
line  near  twenty  miles  in  length.  Serious,  indeed,  were 
the  scenes  around  us;  our  retreating  army  on  one  side  of 
us;  the  reinforced  rebel  army  pressing  closely  on  the 
other  side;  but  little  chance  for  sleep  or  play  was  here. 
To  give  our  forces  time  to  cross  the  river,  by  bridge  and 
fords,  we  halted  near  Brandy  Station  to  hold  the  enemy 
at  bay. 

Here  passed  us  what  a  motley  crowd  of  fleeing  slaves, 
on  foot,  on  horse, or  mule,  in  old, broken-down  vehicles 
tied  with  straps  and  strings,  in  all  manner  of  costumes 
grave  and  gay  ^wardrobes  old  and  new  borrowed  from 
Massa's  and  Missis'  shelves  and  trunks,  and  loaded  with 
needfuls  for  the  time.  How  anxiously  and  tearfully  they 
pressed  within  our  lines.  The  photographer  and  comic 
artist  ought  to  have  been  in  our  bivouac  and  on  the 
skirmish  line. 

We  ate  what  we  could  pick  up  by  the  way.  Fortunate 
were  those  who  found  ears  of  green  corn  to  toast  on  the 
points  of  their  sabres.  One  of  our  band  gobbled  a  hen 
and  kept  her  in  his  note-bag  till  she  laid  him  an  egg; 
but  her  owner's  hunger  brought  her  neck  to  the  edge  of 
the  sabre. 

August  20th.     With  dawn  we  resumed  our  retreat. 

r  Xear  us  the  rebels  dashed  up  and  had  an  unsuccessful 

brush  with  the  Harris  Light  Cavalry.     Some  were  killed, 


132  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [August, 

some  wounded,  and  some  taken  prisoners.  But  our  line 
was  not  broken.  Of  course  the  enemy  picked  up  a  few 
-exhausted  men  who  straggled.  Near  noon  we  reached 
the  Rappahannock,  where  the  foe  came  up  and  fired  on 
tis.  Having  crossed,  our  forces  held  the  bridge  and  made 
a  stand  on  the  eastern  bank.  Indeed,  for  a  time,  we 
held  the  stockade  fort  on  the  opposite  bank.  We  now 
stretched  our  pickets  from  Ellis'  Ford  on  our  left  to  Sul 
phur  Springs  on  our  right;  General  Reno  on  our  left; 
Oeneral  Sigel  on  .our  right;  Generals  McDowell  and 
Banks  in  our  centre.  We  usually  reported  to.  McDowell. 

August  21st-22d.  During  these  days,  the  enemy,  hold 
ing  the  right  bank  of  the  river  from  Kelly's  Ford  to  a 
point  above  Sulphur  Springs,  furnished  us  a  large  amount 
-of  metal  swiftly  forwarded;  but  we  made  the  exchange 
about  equal.  As  McClellan's  army  had  been  withdrawn 
from  Richmond,  General  Lee  brought  the  main  part  of 
his  army  to  act  against  General  Pope,  and  Lee  himself 
was  at  Culpepper  on  the  twenty-second.  Work  evidently 
was  now  before  us. 

On  the  twenty-first,  Surgeon  Greeley,  on  the  front  with 
a  brigade  surgeon,  was  wounded  in  his  left  arm  and  in 
iris  right  thigh,  and  was  taken  back  towards  Washington. 
On  the  same  day,  Captain  Bixby  and  his  squadron,  sent 
to  the  assistance  of  Sigel,  returned  and  reported  the  cap 
ture  of  Corporal  J.  S.  Brown  and  Edward  Myers  (Troop 
B),  W.  J.  Glancy  and  Abraham  England  (Troop  C),  and 
John  Wilson  (Troop  G).  Men  and  horses  suffered  much 
from  hunger  and  thirst.  Wells  were  scarce,  and  the  few 
summer  streams  were  muddy  from  the  tramp  and  rush 
of  troops.  Clean  water  was  too  valuable  to  use  in  wash 
ing  our  faces;  we  kept  it  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  who 
were  constantly  being  borne  back  from  the  front  on 
stretchers  and  in  ambulances. 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  133 

Also,  on  the  twenty-first,  one  of  our  battalions,  under 
Major  Swett,  was  sent  to  Warrenton  Junction  on  provost 
duty;  and  the  wagon  trains  fell  back  to  Catlett  Station, 
where,  on  the  following  night,  Stuart's  cavalry,  that  had 
slipped  around  our  right  into  our  rear,  made  a  raid, 
destroying  mivch  property  and  taking  a  number  of  pris 
oners.  With  the  trains  sent  back  were  one  hundred 
recruits,  unarmed  and  unequipped,  who  had  reached  the 
front  that  day.  With  the  wagon  train  were  our  wagons, 
under  Quartermaster  Leonard  and  a  number  of  our  men. 
Of  their  experiences  let  G.  A.  Sargent  speak: 

"We  arrived  at  the  station  about  dark,  thoroughly  wet 
by  a  thunder-storm,  and  had  scarcely  bivouacked  in  the 
adjoining  forest,  about  eighty  rods  from  the  station, 
when  we  were  attacked  by  a  heavy  raiding  force  of 
Stuart's  cavalry.  Volleys  and  yells  filled  the  air.  We 
put  out  our  fires  and  stood  with  pistols  in  hand.  Being 
surrounded,  we  kept  still.  As  we  were  in  the  forest, 
they  passed  all  around  us  without  discovering  such  as 
remained  in  the  appointed  bivouac.  Two  of  our  men 
were  saved  by  climbing  a  tree  as  the  raiders  passed,  and 
remaining  on  their  roost  all  night.  Some  of  the  team 
sters  caught  a  rebel  lieutenant  in  a  novel  way.  They 
had  stretched  a  rope  from  the  wheel  of  one  wagon  to  the 
wheel  of  another.  As  the  lieutenant,  at  the  head  of  a 
squad,  came  galloping  on,  his  horse  tripped  and  sent  him 
headlong.  A  few  shots  scattered  his  squad,  when  our 
men  seized  the  lieutenant,  tied  his  legs  and  arms,  and 
threw  him  into  a  wagon  to  remain  till  morning.  Our 
army  train  near  the  station  was  almost  wholly  destroyed, 
and  a  number  of  our  men  (not  following  Lieutenant 
Leonard's  direction)  were  captured.  Thus  we  lost  Cap 
tain  Capron,  wagon-master  Tenny,  two  blacksmiths,  and 
one  cook.  A  few  were  killed  on  both  sides.  The  rebels 
12 


134  SABRES    AND   SPURS.  [August, 

captured  about  five  hundred  mules,  and  a  portion  of 
Pope's  headquarters  wagons." 

On  the  twenty-second,  Major  Whipple  and  a  squadron 
were  sent  down  to  Kelly's  Ford,  and  Captain  Bixby  and 
a  squadron  were  ordered  to  Bealton.  To  our  great  cheer, 
Colonel  T.  Burgess,  as  a  volunteer  aid,  came  on  from 
Washington  with  a  large  mail  and  a  quantity  of  tooth 
some  rations,  and  heartily  joined  us.  During  the  whole 
day  we  were  in  line  of  battle,,  eating  only  what  we  could 
pick  up  in  abandoned  camps  and  bivouacs,  and  before 
night  were  drenched  by  a  heavy  thunder-shower,  which 
was  a  great  blessing  to  the  wounded,  though  it  did  not 
extinguish  or  even  abate  the  fire  of  the  battle.  The 
enemy  were  now  crossing  the  river  at  Sulphur  Springs 
and  flanking  us  on  the  right. 

August  23d.  With  the  break  of  day,  broke  upon  us 
the  fire  from  numerous  well  handled  pieces  near  the  rail 
road  bridge.  Abandoning  the  stockade  and  earthworks, 
we  devoted  the  bridge  and  buildings  near  it  to  flames, 
find  made  arrangements  to  fall  back  to  Warrenton.  We 
were  almost  tempted  to  sympathize  with  Mr.  Bowen,  the 
rich  old  planter  owning  most  of  the  land  and  buildings 
near  Eappahannock  Station,  when  he  complained  that 
the  soldiers  had  skinned  his  lands,  even  to  his  garden, 
and  finally  had  stolen  his  brass  kettle;  but  we  told  him 
the  times  were  brassy. 

We  were  early  in  battle  line,  and  the  rebel  shells 
screamed  over  us  and  broke  around  us.  Another  copious 
shower  cooled  our  feverish  flesh.  A  house  in  our  front, 
formerly  a  parsonage,  into  which  the  Chaplain  took  the 
newly  arrived  mail  bags  to  keep  them  dry,  was  struck  by 
a  shell  and  soon  reduced  to  ashes.  By  evening,  since 
the  other  forces  had  fallen  back,  we  were  the  rear-guard 
to  move,  and  slowly,  wearily  and  warily  we  passed  on 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  135 

towards  "Warrenton,  stirring  up  stragglers,  and  picking 
up  the  wounded  and  disabled.  Colonel  Burgess,  without 
a  horse,  was  assigned  to  an  ambulance,  not  without  some 
jokes;  but  in  the  darkness,  near  midnight,  the  ambulance 
made  a  somersault  in  a  forest  slew,  and  a  good  laugh  re 
lieved  the  solemn  tension  of  our  facial  muscles. 

August  24th.  After  reaching  within  six  miles  of  War 
renton  and  halting,  we  were  ordered  back  to  watch  the 
enemy's  movements.  Without  rest,  rations,  or  forage, 
save  what  we  could  cull  from  an  army's  track — the  lean 
est  kind  of  a  bone  to  pick — we  hastened  to  find  that  six 
thousand  Georgia  troops  were  pushing  up  the  western 
bank  of  the  river,  who  saluted  us  with  their  artillery.. 
Near  the  burned  depot  we  found  burned  and  charred 
corn,  alike  acceptable  to  man  and  beast.  Another  shower 
settled  the  dust  into  our  coats,  though  we  thought  enough 
was  there  before.  Changes  of  clothes  had  been  an  utter 
impossibility  for  weeks;  sometimes,  as  on  the  Flat  Lands,  - 
we  stripped,  and,  washing  our  shirts,  waited  shirtless  for 
the  clean  garment  to  dry  in  the  sun.  All  baggage  van 
ished  from  our  sight,  with  the  trains,  at  Cedar  Mount 
ain.  It  was  genuine  field  life  and  service  that  we  were 
now  sharing.  To  tell  the  whole  truth,  we  all,  officers 
and  men,  had  become  lousy;  and  we  voted  secession  a 
lousy  affair.  The  vermin  infested  the  body,  not  the 
head;  possibly  the  Yankees  were  too  headstrong  for 
them.  An  alarm  brought  us  into  line  of  battle  in  the 
evening;  and  the  music  of  arms  was  continually  in  our 
ears  from  the  right  near  Sulphur  Springs,  where,  on  the 
twenty-fifth,  the  splendid  hotel  was  fired  by  the  enemy's 
shell.  What  sleep  we  had  we  obtained  in  our  saddles. 

August  26th.  W"e  early  moved  up  to  Sulphur  Springs 
to  support  our  forces,  struggling  to  retard  the  crossing 
"gray  backs."  Losing  our  way,  we  twice  narrowly  es- 


136  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [August, 

caped  capture,  coolly  receiving  the  enemy's  metallic  de 
spatches  sent  with  great  haste.  In  the  evening  we  fell 
back  to  Warren  ton,  far  all  our  forces  had  now  left  the 
line  of  the  river,  and  the  rebels  were  turning  our  right 
wing.  This  day's  march  would  have  measured  twenty- 
six  miles. 

August  27th.  With  the  morning  song  of  the  birds, 
we  heard  the  booming  of  artillery  in  the  direction  of 
Manassas,  and  all  the  forces  and  trains  near  Warrenton 
began  to  move  with  nervous  haste.  Our  communications 
by  railroad  and  telegraph  with  Washington  had  been  cut 
off.  What  next  might  be  was  the  serious  question.  Our 
generals  were  anxious  and  busy.  We  could  see  only 
hurrying  trains,  streams  of  bayonets,  batteries  of  artil 
lery,  and  lines  of  sabres.  Picturesque  scenery  was  around 
us,  but  we  were  short  of  time  for  its  study.  Clouds  of 
dust  rolled  up  from  all  the  roads.  The  cars  carried  what 
.they  could  to  Catlett  Station;  beyond  that  the  track  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  and  we  knew  not  but  Lee  was 
whistling  the  tune  of  "  On  to  Washington"  as  a  chorus 
to  McClellan's  "On  to  Richmond." 

At  Warrenton  Major  Swett  and  his  battalion  rejoined 
us.  As  the  city  was  evacuated,  we  still  served  as  rear 
guard,  and  shortly  were  ordered  to  the  extreme  right,  to 
New  Baltimore,  and  thence  to  Georgetown,  within  three 
miles  of  Thoroughfare  Gap,  in  the  Bull  Run  Mountains. 
Halting  on  Silas  Hunter's  plantation  (kept  by  Mr.  S warts), 
we  sent  out  nearly  the  whole  command  on  grand  picket 
duty.  As  the  rebel  army,  like  a  flood,  was  pouring  through 
tin.1  gap,  and  we  were  without  support,  our  position  was 
sufficiently  critical  for  men  and  horses  that  had  seen  no 
pest  at  all  for  four  days.  After  trying  Mr.  S  warts'  fruit 
and  cider,  some  of  us  slept  a  few  moments  on  our  arms. 
Our  pickets  kept  their  eyes  on  the  "gray  backs."  Major 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  137 

Farrington,  while  reconnoitering  near  the  gap,  captured 
four  rebel  stragglers,  who  reported  that  Jackson  was  then 
near  Manassas,  with  thirty  thousand  troops,  and  that 
Longstreet  with  his  corps  was  within  two  miles  of  us.  A 
heavy  force  of  rebel  cavalry  passed  within  sight  of  our 
pickets,  but  we  remained  undiscovered.  Here  all  will 
admit  that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor.  But- 
we  were  only  biding  our  time;  the  Confederates  were 
destined  to  hear,  in  due  season,  of  the  "little  French 
man  and  his  Yankees."  Be  it  remembered  that  it  is 
seldom  that  a  cavalry  force  can  engage  in  a  square  fight 
with  their  own  or  any  arm;  mounted  troops  are  to  aid  all 
others,  and  especially  to  serve  as  van-guard,  rear-guard, 
flankers,  skirmishers,  and  scouts, — all  posts  of  honor  and 
of  peril. 


12* 


138  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

BATTLE    OF    GROVETON. 
AUGUST,  1862. 

TJGUST  28th.  We  found  ourselves  alone  on  a 
sort  of  war  peninsula,  almost  entirely  surrounded 
by  heavy  rebel  forces,  flushed  with  successes  and  high 
hopes,  all  moving  under  the  direct  order  of  General  Lee, 
though  he  as  yet  had  not  passed  through  the  gap.  The 
corps  of  Jackson  and  Ewell  had  passed  around  the  right 
wing  of  our  army  completely  in  our  rear,  and  were  at 
Bristoe  and  Manassas,  where  they  had  a  fight  with  Gen 
eral  Hooker  and  were  checked. 

The  forces  of  the  Army  of  Virginia,  under  Pope,  at 
this  time  were  as  follows:  Sigel's  corps,  nine  thousand; 
Banks'  corps,  five  thousand;  McDowell's  corps,  fifteen 
thousand,  five  hundred;  Reno's  corps,  seven  thousand; 
the  corps  of  Heintzelman  and  Fitz-John  Porter,  eighteen 
thousand:  in  all  fifty-four  thousand,  five  hundred. 

In  the  morning  we  left  our  position  of  grand  picket 
near  the  gap,  by  special  orders,  to  join  the  main  body  of 
the  army  near  Gainesville.  Our  band  played  cheerily  as 
we  marched  along  in  sight  of  the  foe,  for  the  Star  Span 
gled  Banner  is  irrepressible.  At  Gainesville  we  found 
heavy  forces  waiting  to  learn  of  the  whereabouts  of  the 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  139 

wily,  swift-footed  Jackson,  who  was  reported  as  having 
left  Manassas  and  having  visited  even  Centreville.  Af 
fairs  appeared  to  be  fearfully  mixed,  and  excitement  ran 
high.  For  the  last  ten  days,  skirmishing  had  been  con 
stantly  going  on  along  the  lines,  and  was  now  even  in 
our  rear:  some  of  these  strokes  amounted  to  what,  in 
ordinary  circumstances,  would  have  been  styled  battles. 
Pushing  beyond  Gainesville,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Warren  ton  Turnpike,  we  came  in  sight  of  Jackson's 
front  early  in  the  afternoon.  Orders  came  to  be  ready 
for  action. 

As  usual  in  such  cases,  we  directed  our  band,  our  hos 
pital  force,  and  the  officers'  servants  with  all  spare  horses, 
to  enter  a  little  forest  on  our  left  and  rear  and  remain 
till  called  for,  as  we  were  to  engage  in  a  reconnoissance. 
Reaching  the  woody  shelter,  they  immediately,  in  gen 
uine  field  fashion,  secured  their  horses  to  tree  trunks  and 
limbs,  and,  gathering  dry  sticks,  kindled  a  fire  for  mak 
ing  coffee.  Around  their  fire  they  expectantly  stood  or 
sat  in  Turkish  attitude,  speculating  on  the  times  or 
humorously  chatting  of  their  experiences,  waiting  the 
boiling  of  their  cups.  Up  through  the  trees  rose  the 
tell-tale  column  of  smoke;  seeing  which,  the  "gray 
backs  "  tossed  a  shell  as'a  feeler,  that  singularly  enough 
dropped  exactly  through  the  smoky  column  into  the  cen 
tre  of  their  camp  fire,  and,  exploding,  lifted  brands,  cups, 
ashes  and  earth,  a  la  volcano,  high  in  air,  overturning 
men  and  frightening  horses,  scattering  all  far  and  wide. 
Often  would  the  boys  recall  this  episode  of  service,  and 
enjoy  a  hearty  laugh;  though  at  the  time  some  of  them 
received  serious  injuries. 

After  a  little  skirmishing  near  us,  we  suspected  that 
Jackson  had  selected  a  position  near  the  turnpike  on  the 
north  side,  a  few  miles  west  of  the  old  battle  ground  of 


140  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

Bull  Run.  General  Hatch,  to  whom  McDowell  had 
ordered  us  to  report,  selected  our  regiment  and  a  light 
battery  with  which  to  feel  for  the  foe,  and  marched  at 
our  head.  Lieutenant  Waterman  commanded  the  skir 
mish  line.  As  we  cautiously  advanced  on  a  slope  of 
ground  wholly  exposed,  near  Groveton,  Jackson's  forces, 
from  their  commanding  position  on  the  wooded  rolling 
lands  to  the  north,  suddenly  opened  upon  us  a  cross-fire 
from  eighteen  well  handled  pieces  of  artillery.  Their 
firing  was  rapid  and  splendid;  we  were  a  fair  target  and 
close  at  hand.  Instantly  our  skirmishers  joined  the  col 
umn,  and  our  artillery  sprang  into  position  and  replied. 
No  imagination  was  required  to  understand  the  poet's 
phrase,  "bombs  bursting  in  air."  We  could  only  stand 
and  endure  the  shower.  Over  and  among  and  through 
us,  the  shell  came  like  a  rain  of  exploding  volcanic 
stones.  Five  of  our  horses  were  killed  in  a  few  minutes. 
When  Lieutenant  Gove's  horse  was  shot  under  him  and 
fell,  the  Lieutenant  coolly  unbuckled  the  saddle  and  took 
it  upon  his  shoulder.  Captain  Manchester  received  a 
wound  in  the  face  from  the  fragment  of  a  shell,  and 
soberly  remarked  that  he  had  fears  for  his  mustache  (a 
juvenile,  dew-like  adornment  he  had  studiously  culti 
vated).  Several  men  were  struck,  but  not  fatally.  We 
could  do  nothing  to  resist  so  heavy  an  attack  from  well 
posted  batteries.  We  had  drawn  their  fire  and  fully  re 
vealed  the  whereabouts  of  our  enemies.  General  Hatch 
at  our  head  allowed  that  we  behaved  gallantly.  It  was 
reported  and  believed  that  we  were  cut  to  pieces,  as 
seemed  inevitable  from  the  storm  that  broke  upon  us. 
Nothing  is  more  trying  to  the  nerves  than  to  be  under 
heavy  fire  without  orders  or  power  to  act  upon  the  offen 
sive  or  defensive:  action  is  always  relief  under  such  cir 
cumstances. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  141 

The  forces  in  our  rear  hastened  to  our  support,  and 
the  battle  opened  hotly  on  both  sides  near  sunset.  We 
by  order  fell  back  from  the  extreme  front  and  took  our 
place  with  the  main  line.  The  brunt  of  the^battle  on 
our  side  was  borne  by  Gibbon's  brigade,  handsomely 
seconded  by  Doubleday's  brigade:  both  belonging  to 
King's  division  of  McDowell's  corps.  Our  foe  was  Jack 
son  himself,  leading  his  famous  " foot  cavalry" — men 
that  marched  thirty  miles  a  day.  Though  the  battle 
was  short,  lasting  little  more  than  an  hour,  when  dark 
ness  shut  down  on  the  smoky,  dusty,  gory  field,  it  was 
fearfully  sharp  and  destructive.  It  was  a  tornado  of 
artillery  and  musketry.  Jackson  was  always  a  swift, 
impetuous,  persistent  fighter.  Here  he  met  with  equal 
courage  and  energy.  Multitudes  of  brave  men,  thou 
sands  we  judged,  on  both  sides  of  the  field,  fell  dead  and 
wounded  in  the  hot  encounter.  When  the  shock  ceased, 
after  dark,  our  regiment  lay  on  their  arms,  holding  our 
horses  by  the  bridles,  by  the  side  of  the  turnpike,  on  the 
verge  of  the  bloody  field.  Infantry  forces  sank  down  to 
rest  by  our  side.  In  the  action  we  had  lost  but  one  man 
captured,  Corporal  T.  Leary  (Troop  E). 

During  the  night  the  enemy,  reinforced  by  Lee,  flanked 
us  on  the  west,  and  we  had  orders  to  fall  back  towards 
Manassas  Junction.  Our  regiment  was,  as  usual,  desig 
nated  for  rear-guard;  hence  we  were  the  last  to  leate 
the  field.  All  orders  were  given  in  whisper,  so  critical 
was  the  situation.  It  was  silent,  solemn  work  turning 
from  that  field,  soon  after  midnight.  Many  of  the  dead 
and  dying  were  left,  for  orders  to  move  admitted  of  no- 
postponement  or  delay;  yet  we  took  as  many  as  possible 
with  us.  How  deeply,  how  unutterably  were  our  hearts 
pained  to  turn  away  from  the  wounded  and  dying  crying 
for  water  and  relief.  The  hot,  flowing  tears  on  our  cheeks 


143  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [August, 

were  the  proof  of  our  sympathy;  but  military  orders  must 
be  obeyed;  life  is  sunk  in  the  waves  of  war.  We  relieved 
what  we  could;  but  in  all  the  canteens  of  the  regiment 
probably  not  a  pint  of  water  remained  at  midnight. 
Such  are  some  of  the  sufferings,  the  anguish,  the  hor 
rors  of  war;  agonies  of  body  and  mind  indescribable  by 
speech. 

August  29th.  .Reaching  Manassas  in  the  morning,  on 
account  of  our  exhaustion,  we  were  permitted  to  rest  till 
afternoon.  The  enemy  had  been  driven  back  from  their 
raid  in  this  vicinity,  and  portions  of  McClellan's  army 
were  coming  up  to  our  support;  thousands  passed  us 
moving  towards  the  old  Bull  Run  field.  The  trains  of 
army  supplies  that  escaped  the  grasp  of  the  rebels  at  Cat- 
lett  and  Bristoe  Stations  passed  now  on  their  way  to 
Centreville.  Our  regimental  wagons,  which  we  had  not 
seen  since  we  left  the  Rapidan,  passed  with  the  general 
trains;  hence  we  obtained  no  supplies,  though  all  suffer 
ing  severely  from  hunger.  Our  efficient  Quartermaster, 
Lieutenant  Leonard,  knew  not  of  our  whereabouts,  or  he 
would  have  relieved  us.  He  brought  our  train  through 
the  raids  at  Catlett  and  Bristoe  safely,  and  lost  but  one 
wragon,  and  that  in  crossing  a  run. 

The  battle  here  and  there  along  the  front  was  still 
raging,  and  its  heavy  roar  in  our  ears  prevented  us  from 
securing  sleep  even  for  a  few  moments.  Before  evening 
we  had  orders  from  McDowell  to  report  again  in  front 
near  the  gory  field  we  had  left  after  midnight.  Spur 
ring  back,  we  found  a  heated  action  going  on  a  little  west 
of  the  old  Bull  Run  ground,  the  Confederates  being  on 
the  north,  and  the  Federals  on  the  south,  of  the  Warren- 
ton  Turnpike.  Shells  and  bullets  tore  the  air;  rushing 
troops  tore  the  earth;  and  every  building  in  the  region 
was  a  hospital.  AVe  reported  in  the  extreme  front  on  a 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  143 

hill  or  huge  knoll  top,  ready  to  strike.  The  sight  of  the 
dead  and  wounded  was  appalling  to  overtaxed  nerves. 
Not  being  called  into  action,  we  at  length  were  suffered 
to  fall  back  a  little  and  lie  down  in  the  field  in  hope  of 
gaining  a  little  repose.  On  this  day  our  army  lost  about 
eight  thousand  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  enemy  lost 
full  twice  that  number.  Imagine  a  field  with  more  than 
twenty  thousand  killed  and  wounded  upon  it,  and  you 
have  the  scene  amidst  which  we  tried  to  surrender  our 
selves  to  sleep,  hungry,  thirsty,  sore  and  half  bewildered. 


144  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [AllgUSt, 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

BATTLE    OF     BULL    RUN. 
AUGUST,  1862. 

UGUST  30th.  Of  the  condition  of  our  army  on 
this  day,  General  Pope  thus  speaks  in  his  report  to 
the  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War: 

"On  the  morning  of  the  30th,  as  maybe  supposed, 
our  troops,  who  had  been  so  continually  marching  and 
fighting  for  so  many  days,  were  in  a  state  of  great  ex 
haustion.  They  had  had  little  to  eat  for  two  days  pre 
vious,  and  artillery  and  cavalry  horses  had  been  in  harness 
and  saddle  continuously  for  ten  days,  and  had  had  no 
forage  for  two  days  previous." 

The  Army  of  Virginia,  with  all  the  reinforcements  it 
had  received  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  now  num 
bered  about  forty  thousand  men  on  the  front.  The 
Confederates  outnumbered  us,  and  were  hourly  receiving 
new  troops  on  their  right  from  Thoroughfare  Gap. 

When  we  rose  from  the  earth  at  daylight,  having  been 
without  food  for  two  days,  the  Chaplain,  by  request  of 
the  Colonel,  whose  aid  he  always  was,  started  for  Centre- 
ville  in  hope  to  find  our  Quartermaster  and  secure  rations. 
On  the  air  line  he  took,  with  his  servant,  John  Harris, 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  145 

when  he  reached  Cub  Run  he  unwittingly  crossed  the 
enemy's  track  and  fell  in  with  six  armed  rebel  soldiers 
procuring  water,  whom  he  managed  to  disarm  by  order 
ing  them  to  discharge  their  rifles,  and  then  led  them 
captive  to  Centreville,  delivering  them  to  the  Provost, 
Captain  W.  H.  Sterling,  of  the  Seventh  Ohio  Infantry. 
After  finding  the  Quartermaster,  a  light  wagon,  filled 
with  rations,  was  hurried  to  the  front,  reaching  the  regi 
ment  in  line  of  battle  near  the  stone  house  on  the  field, 
just  as  the  heaviest  battle  wave  of  the  day  began  to  roll 
in  that  vicinity.  How  thankful  were  our  brave  men  for 
food.  They  had  been  in  line  of  battle  from  early  morn 
ing,  in  different  positions. 

Before  the  day's  work  opened,  on  account  of  changes 
during  the  night,  the  Federals  held  most  of  the  battle 
ground  of  the  preceding  year,  while  the  Confederates 
held  the  ground  to  the  north  and  west.  Fighting  was 
going  on  through  the  whole  day,  though  it  was  severest 
in  the  afternoon.  Terrible  was  the  battle,  defying  de 
scription.  We  broke  their  left;  they  broke  our  right. 
The  war  waves  swelled,  surged,  and  dashed  furiously. 
The  field  was  literally  strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded. 
It  was  hard  to  say  which  army  manifested  the  greater 
courage.  But  our  men  were  less  in  number,  and  far 
more  exhausted.  Our  regiment,  while  lead  and  iron 
went  over  and  around  us,  seemed  to  have  a  charmed  life. 
Only  two  of  our  men  were  captured,  Corporal  George 
Curtis  and  S.  Harrington,  of  Troop  A. 

After  desperate  fighting,  worthy  of  all  praise,  with  a 
superior  and  flushed  foe,  our  army  fell  back  behind  Cub 
Run,  leaving  only  a  small  force  between  that  and  Bull 
Run.  Again  it  fell  to  our  lot  to  act  as  rear-guard.  To 
keep  appearances  of  a  strong  force  in  the  eyes  of  the 
enemy,  the  Colonel  brought  off  our  sabred  column  with 
13 


146  SABRES  -AND    SPURS.  [August, 

battalion  evolutions:  a  maneuvre  that  elicited  great  praise. 
We  remained  in  line  of  battle  on  the  front  during  the 
night,  between  Bull  and  Cub  Runs.  Numerous  regi 
ments  brought  from  the  field  but  a  moiety  of  their  num 
ber.  How  inexpressibly  hard  it  was  to  leave  the  many 
thousands  of  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field  in  the  hands 
of  an  exultant  enemy.  Many  of  them,  however,  were 
rescued  the  next  day  under  a  flag  of  truce, — a  day  for 
tunately  cloudy  and  moist,  and  quiet,  being  the  Sabbath. 
One  of  our  sergeants  attended  the  flag  of  truce.  Over 
our  misfortunes  there  was  naturally,  in  our  army,  much 
mortification,  heart-sickness,  and  muttering  of  dissatis 
faction  with  certain  generals.  Rumors  were  hard  on 
Fit z- John  Porter. 

August  31st.  Early  in  the  morning  our  regiment 
reconnoitered  between  the  runs,  and,  after  being  sharply 
shelled,  retired  as  a  rear-guard  across  Cub  Run,  and  took 
position  in  line  of  battle  about  one  mile  west  of  Centre 
ville,  where  we  remained  till  near  night.  Great  numbers 
of  ambulances,  protected  by  flag  of  truce,  were  passing  to 
and  from  the  gory  field  in  front  of  us.  In  one  line  we 
counted  near  fifty  double  horse  ambulances  heavily  loaded 
with  the  utterly  helpless,  while  on  each  side  of  them  were 
close  lines  of  wounded  men  who  could  command  their 
feet.  Every  building  in  all  that  region  was  full  of  the 
wounded  and  exhausted.  Surgeons  and  hospital  stores 
were  in  the  greatest  demand,  and  amputated  limbs  might 
be  counted  by  the  hundreds. 

Regiments  and  batteries,  almost  numberless  seemingly, 
lay  to  the  right  and  left  in  our  rear,  with  Centreville  as 
their  main  point.  But  the  Confederates  had  slyly  slipped 
eastward,  and  were  flanking  our  army  on  our  right. 
Before  night,  therefore,  we  retired  with  our  forces,  and 
bivouacked  in  the  woods  to  the  southeast  of  Centreville. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  147 

Rest,  even  for  a  few  hours,  was  to  us  an  unspeakable 
blessing,  and  the  kindly  lap  of  mother  earth  was  soft  to 
our  weary  bones. 

Out  of  due  regard  to  our  faithful  sergeants  and  bravo 
men,  we  should  not  forget  to  mention  that  constantly 
requisitions  were  made  upon  our  regiment  for  orderlies, 
single  men,  and  squads,  to  serve  the  various  generals,  on 
the  front,  along  the  lines,  along  the  flanks,  and  in  scouts 
feeling  for  the  foe:  all  extra  hazardous  service  by  day 
and  by  night;  all  particularly  responsible,  severe,  and 
exhausting.  Always  our  men  won  from  the  generals 
the  highest  encomiums  for  intelligence,  bravery,  and 
fidelity.  In  these  exposed  services  some  were  captured. 
Some  too  were  long  detained  from  us  in  the  discharge 
of  such  general  duties;  for  good  and  true  men,  well 
mounted,  were  in  these  days  greatly  needed.  A  severer 
campaign  than  we  were  now  enduring  is  hardly  found 
in  even  the  hard  annals  of  war. 


148  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

BATTLE     OF     CHANTILLY. 
SEPTEMBER,  1862. 

JEPTEMBER  1st.  All  the  trains  of  army  wagons 
were  now  groaning  on  their  way  back  towards  Alex 
andria,  and  during  the  night  they  were  attacked  by  rebel 
raiders  near  Fairfax  Court  House.  In  fact,  we  were 
flanked  on  the  east,  hard  pressed  on  our  front,  and 
pushed  back  on  our  left  to  Manassas  and  Fairfax  Station. 
Retreat  was  our  only  resort.  Our  late  reinforcements  of 
near  forty  thousand  men  were  somehow  insufficient  to 
effectually  check  the  swollen  tide  of  disaster.  A  sea  of 
arms  surged  %all  around  us. 

In  saddle  atihree  o'clock  A.  M.,  our  regiment  retired 
to  Fairfax  Court  House  and  reported  to  General  Hooker, 
who  at  once  led  us  out  on  the  Winchester  Turnpike, 
beyond  the  ruined  spot  called  Germantown,  to  feel  out 
the  Confederate  front.  We  soon  fell  upon  the  enemy, 
who  sharply  assailed  us  with  artillery,  followed  by  in 
fantry.  Here  again  the  metallic  shower  poured  down 
furiously  upon  us.  It  seems  that  we  were  usually  the 
favorite  command  for  drawing  the  enemy's  fire,  and  we 
always  drew  it  strong.  Under  this  iron  shower  we  had 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  149 

two  men  wounded,  Sergeant  Charles  Briggs  (Troop  L) 
and  Isaac  Westcott  (Troop  F),  and  lost  two  horses. 
When  the  battle  line  was  formed  in  our  rear,  we  fell 
back,  and  the  full  action  of  Chantilly  opened. 

The  battle,  like  that  of  Grove  ton,  was  short  but  sharp. 
In  the  battle  line  we  greeted  the  Second  Rhode  Island 
Infantry,  whpm  we  had  nq,t  seen  since  we  left  them  in 
Washington,  in  April.  This  field  will  ever  be  memor 
able,  as  it  was  wet  with  the  blood  of  Generals  Stevens  and 
Kearney,  men  of  valor  and  of  fame.  The  heavy  thunder- 
shower  and  tempest  in  nature,  near  sunset,  was  insuf 
ficient  to  quench  the  flame  of  battle;  thunder  and  artil 
lery,  lightning  and  volleys  of  rifles,  with  wind  and  rain, 
swept  over  hill  and  valley,  field  and  forest,  till  deep  dark 
ness  bade  the  contest  cease. 

During  the  night  following  the  battle,  Major  Swett's 
battalion  remained  on  the  front  near  Germantown,  along 
the  line  of  the  battle  field,  on  picket  duty,  and  lost  but 
one  horse.  Captain  Gove  brought  in  an  important  pris 
oner.  Major  Whipple's  battalion  was  also  out  on  picket: 
Captain  Manchester's  squadron  near  Fairfax  Station,  and 
Captain  Bixby's  squadron  on  the  right  of  Fairfax  Court 
House. 

September  2d.  The  morning  was  comparatively  quiet. 
Our  forces  were  falling  back  through  Fairfax  Court 
House.  The  Confederates  were  now  on  both  our  right 
and  left,  pressing  us  as  closely  as  possible.  Our  regiment 
was  put  in  front  of  the  town  to  act  as  a  guard  till  the 
trains  and  troops  could  be  put  fairly  on  the  road  towards 
the  Potomac.  In  the  afternoon  the  rebels  threw  a  few 
unavailing  shells  upon  our  right.  All  being  ready,  we 
evacuated  the  town,  and  as  rear-guard  moved  along  the 
Alexandria  road,  but  were  shortly  deployed  as  skirmish 
ers  on  the  north  of  the  road,  in  the  face  of  the  enemy. 
13* 


150  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

After  we  left  the  town,  the  rebels  pushed  it  and  advanced 
upon  our  rear,  passing  forward  to  us  a  few  unusually 
musical  shells  as  their  compliments. 

The  rear  of  our  army  column  made  a  brief  halt  near 
Bailey's  Cross  Koads,  during  which  our  sore  flesh  and 
bones  caught  a  few  moments  of  rest  in  the  bushes.  Soon 
after  midnight,  however,  the  bugles  hurried  us  "to  sad 
dle,"  as  the  "gray  backs"  were  hard  on  our  heels.  We 
were  more  dead  than  alive,  but  unwilling  to  go  to  Rich 
mond  by  Lee's  orders.  It  was  nearly  true  of  us,  what 
Generals  Buford  and  Bayard  said  of  all  the  cavalry  in 
the  Army  of  Virginia  at  this  time,  that  "there  were  not 
five  horses  to  the  company  that  could  be  forced  into  a 
trot " — a  sad  picture,  indeed.  Nor  were  our  men  in  any 
condition  for  a  trotting  match.  Nor  was  it  a  pleasant 
task  for  weary,  hungry  men,  and  shoeless,  jaded,  wound 
ed,  starving  horses,  to  be  dodging  right  and  left  to  urge 
along  half-alive  stragglers,  many  of  them  so  weak  that 
they  were  well-nigh  indifferent  to  their  fate. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  151 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

BIVOUAC    AT    MINOR'S    HILL. 
SEPTEMBER,  1862. 

^EPTEMBER  3d.  We  were  now  near  Alexandria, 
and  under  the  reach  of  the  bristling  forts  that 
guarded  the  Potomac  and  the  Capital.  For  a  few  hours 
we  found  rest  and  food  for  men  and  horses,  and  stretched 
ourselves  upon  the  earth,  free  from  fears  of  an  attack — 
happy  respite.  But  the  hours  were  short.  Cannon  were 
heard  in  the  distance.  We  had  orders  to  report  at 
Bailey's  Cross  Roads,  and  springing — rather  crawling — 
to  our  worn  saddles,  were  off  for  duty.  Losing  our  way, 
night  overtook  us,  and  we  bivouacked  in  a  forest. 

September  4th.  Early  in  the  morning  we  reached  the 
Cross  Roads  and  found  a  large  cavalry  force.  Here  our 
train  came  up,  furnishing  some  comforts;  but  before  we 
had  time  to  realize  them,  orders  reached  us  to  push  for 
ward  beyond  Minor's  Hill  on  picket  and  reconnoissance, 
while  our  wagons  were  to  retire  near  Long  Bridge.  We 
reached  our  destination  on  the  following  morning  (Sep 
tember  5th),  having  been  misguided  and  bewildered,  and 
compelled  to  bivouac  in  our  usual  blanketless,  supperless 
style.  Romantic  as  it  may  now  seem,  it  was  serious  at 
the  time  to  see  officers  and  men  sit  around  a  short-lived 


152  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

camp  fire  till  they  nodded  and  rolled  backward  or  side 
ways  upon  the  wet,  chilly  earth,  to  slumber  and  dream  of 
far  off  homes,  waiting  for  the  bugles  to  soon  call  them 
"to  horse."  Our  poor  horses  too  demanded  something 
of  our  sympathy. 

On  the  previous  day  the  line  of  our  pickets  had  been 
the  scene  of  a  smart  skirmish,  and  our  men  found  six 
dead  soldiers,  to  whom  they  gave  sepulture.  Soon  after 
stationing  our  pickets,  William  F.  Peck  (Troop  F)  re 
ceived  a  shot  from  a  rebel  picket  in  his  left  hand,  and 
we  lost  one  horse.  From  that  time,  the  line  in  the 
direction  of  Fairfax  and  Leesburg  became  quiet;  but 
more  or  less  fighting  was  going  on  up  the  river.  The 
enemy  had  an  eye  on  Maryland. 

Remaining  here  in  front  (west  side)  of  Minor's  Hill 
for  several  days  in  the  woods,  without  tents,  canopied 
only  by  the  friendly  trees  and  the  changing  heavens — 
often  prodigal  of  showers  and  high  winds— we  had  some 
opportunity  to  glance  back  over  the  strange  paths  we  had 
trodden.  Even  now  we  can  see  the  Chaplain  sitting  on 
the  earth  by  a  cracker  box,  writing  up  his  "Notes  by  the 
Wayside."  For  weeks  we  had  not  heard  from  home. 

Some  idea  may  be  gained  of  our  hardships  during  the 
previous  weeks,  when  we  state  that  at  one  time  our  horses 
were  not  unsaddled  for  one  hundred  and  four  hours; 
were  without  food  sixty-four  hours;  without  water  thirty- 
seven  hours;  and  the  command  was  under  fire  for  twenty- 
one  consecutive  days.  Many  of  the  men  too  were  with 
out  money,  hence  unable  to  procure  food  from  sutlers  or 
occasional  venders  of  refreshments.  Some  officers  were 
in  a  like  dilemma.  Truly  these  were  hard  times,  and  it 
is  a  wonder  how  we  endured  them;  but  hope  always  keeps 
the  heart  whole,  and  we  were  at  work  for  Uncle  Sam 
and  the  Union. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  153 

Our  experiences,  so  strange,  so  tragic,  so  thrilling, 
seemed  more  like  a  wild  dream  than  a  sober  reality. 
Since  we  entered  Virginia  we  had  lost  in  killed,  wounded 
and  captured,  ^bout  sixty  men,  and  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  horses.  From  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  to- 
that  of  Chantilly,  our  army,  in  killed,  wounded  and  .cap 
tured,  had  lost  about  thirty  thousand  men,  and  the  Con 
federates  had  lost  about  fifteen  thousand  men.  When 
duly  weighed,  these  are  grave  figures.  What  fatigues, 
and  privations,  and  pains  of  body  and  mind  had  we  not 
suffered  ? 

For  more  than  twenty  days  we  had  not  started  our 
coats  from  our  shoulders.  It  was  not  our  fault  that  we 
all  were  grimed  with  dirt  and  covered  with  body  lice* 
One  lieutenant,  besides  hot  water,  soap,  and  towels, 
sacrificed  two  new  suits  of  clothes  before  obtaining  his 
freedom  from  the  attacking  vermin.  We  had  served  in 
three  different  corps,  and  reported  to  fifteen  different 
generals.  Ragged,  tanned,  lean,  weather-beaten,  war- 
scarred,  we  had  learned  to  sing: 

"  Man  wants  but  little  here  below," 
But  wants  that  little  strong. 

Yet  even  the  little  was  usually  denied  us.  Thus  mused 
we  under  the  shadow  of  Minor's  Hill,  for  several  days, 
while  we  tried  to  wash  Virginia  dirt  from  our  persons 
and  clothes,  and  obtain  a  supply  of  food.  At  last  we 
heard  from  home,  and  received,  by  express,  some  boxes 
of  home  comforts,  for  which  tears  of  gratitude  ran  down 
our  cheeks;  we  could  think,  if  we  could  not  sing,  "  Sweet, 
sweet  home." 

Of  the  sick  we  had  sent  from  the  front,  we  learned 
that  Charles  Kane  (Troop  L)  died  August  3d,  and  was 
buried  in  the  National  Cemetery,  Alexandria. 


154  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

We  reported  our  picket  service  to  General  Porter,  with 
whom  Colonel  Duffie  at  one  time  had  a  live  question  of 
military  propriety.  The  trees,  though  large  and  beauti 
ful,  were  a  poor  protection  against  the  ^autumnal  rains, 
and  some  of  us  were  quite  sick,  not  excepting  our  Sur 
geon,  Dr.  Mann. 

September  llth.  Lieutenant  Waterman  was  thrown 
from  his  horse  and  had  his  shoulder  dislocated.  Affairs 
were  now  in  a  very  ivnpleasant  state  up  the  river,  as  Lee 
was  pressing  his  forces  towards  Maryland,  and  finally 
crossed  at  Point  of  Hocks  and  entered  Frederick,  hoping 
that  his  dear  Maryland  would  rise  up  to  embrace  him. 
We  were  only  waiting  orders.  Having  traversed,  more 
or  less,  six  counties  of  Virginia,  we  were  soon  to  try  the 
eastern  banks  of  the  Potomac.  Since  our  organization, 
in  direct  marches  and  movements,  we  had  borne  our 
headquarters  and  standard  more  than  twelve  hundred 
miles,  without  reckoning  unmeasured  distances  marked 
by  our  guidons  on  scout,  picket,  and  incidental  service. 

One  of  our  wagoners  (H.  B.),  sometimes  called  "the 
baby"  on  account  of  his  size  and  weight — which  was 
among  the  hundreds — was  a  born  wag,  as  well  as  a  good 
soldier.  Coming  up  on  one  occasion  from  the  base  of 
supplies  with  a  load  of  bread,  the  quartermaster-sergeants 
crowded  around  him  to  obtain  their  quotas  for  their 
troops,  each  one  solicitous  to  secure  the  newest  boxes 
and  freshest  bread.  By  the  way,  these  sergeants,  wise 
in  reading  the  latest  and  best  brands,  often  joked  the 
wagoner  about  bread  baked  during  the  war  of  1812,  and 
during  the  Revolution,  and  hard-tack  that  came  over 
in  the  Mayflower.  Fortunately,  the  wagoner  had  some 
boxes  of  a  novel  brand,  bearing  among  other  marks  the 
capitals  B.  C.  On  these  boxes  the  sergeants  fixing  their 
eyes,  inquired  eagerly  after  the  freshness  of  their  con- 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  155 

tents  and  the  meaning  of  the  letters.  The  wagoner 
answered:  "  Don't  yon  understand  that  brand?  Can't 
you  read?  You  fools,  don't  you  know  that  B.  C.  stands 
for  Before  Christ."  This  ended  the  question  of  the  age 
of  hard-tack. 

On  another  occasion,  when  some  of  his  freight  proved 
wormy,  he  explained  that  he  innocently  made  a  mistake 
in  selecting  it,  supposing  that  the  extra  holes  in  it  were 
made  by  the  baker's  fork  to  indicate  its  superior  quality. 
And  for  bringing  in  a  light  load,  he  explained  that  the 
worms  threw  off  a  part  of  his  load,  and  but  for  their  de 
tection  by  him  while  walking  up  a  hill,  he  would  have 
lost  his  entire  load.  Thus  wit  and  war  often  went  hand 
in  hand. 

We  had  now  closed  the  campaign  of  the  Army  of  Vir 
ginia — a  memorable  chapter  in  the  civil  strife.  The  part 
taken  in  it  by  our  regiment  was  arduous,  responsible,  and 
honorable.  We  performed  our  service  to  the  complete 
satisfaction  of  the  generals  under  whom  we  acted.  At 
each  of  the  battles  of  Cedar  Mountain,  Groveton,  Bull 
Run,  and  Chantilly — the  four  great  battles  of  General 
Pope's  campaign — the  first  shots  on  the  Federal  side  were 
fired  by  our  command,  and  upon  us  the  Confederates 
opened  their  first  guns.  But  the  cavalry  of  our  army 
had  as  yet  attracted  but  little  attention  from  the  country, 
or  from  our  leading  generals,  having  been  almost  ex 
clusively  used  in  small  detachments  for  scouting,  picket 
ing,  feeling  for  the  enemy,  and  van  and  rear-guard  duty, 
and  never  in  such  bodies  as  to  make  its  influence  felt  in 
a  general  engagement.  This  order  was  to  be  changed 
before  the  close  of  the  great  struggle.  - 


156  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

RECRUITING    AT     POOLEVILLE. 
SEPTEMBER— OCTOBER,  1862. 

EPTEMBER  12th.  Soon  after  midnight,  in  obedi 
ence  to  orders,  "  Boots  and  Saddles "  summoned 
us  from  our  wet  blankets  and  leaf  beds  into  line,  and 
forward  we  moved  towards  the  Potomac.  Halting  at 
Fort  Corcoran  to  give  direction  to  our  wagon  train  there 
parked,  we  were  happily  surprised  to  find  above  thirty 
recruits  lately  sent  to  us — good  and  true  men,  but  with 
out  horses.  Their  fair,  fresh  faces  from  our  homes  were 
a  blessing  to  us,  and  we  played  them  Yankee  Doodle  and 
Hail  Columbia  as  a  welcome. 

Passing  through  Georgetown  and  the  northern  margin 
of  Washington,  we  marched  to  Brookville,  Md.,  in  all  a 
distance  of  thirty  miles,  and  reported  to  General  Mc- 
Clellan.  All  along  our, march  the  people  came  out  to 
look  upon  us  and  listen  to  the  stirring  music  of  our 
splendid  band;  and  most  enthusiastically  did  they  cheer 
our  standard,  which  was  now,  from  its  fiery  experiences, 
but  a  handful  of  glorious  shreds  streaming  from  the 
staff.  And  all  our  guidons  had  been  worn  out  by  the 
battle  storms,  till  only  the  bare  staves  were  left;  these, 
however,  we  proudly  bore.  Looking  on  the  cosy,  quiet 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  157 

homes  that  we  passed,  from  which  many  of  the  ladies 
waved  to  us  Union  flags,  how  our  thoughts  would  fly 
away  northward  to  the  dear  cottages  and  mansions  we 
had  left  on  New  England  hills,  and  how  anxious  we 
were  for  the  war  tempest  to  pass. 

September  13th.  The  roar  of  battle  from  the  north 
was  almost  constantly  in  our  ears,  and  it  seemed  strange 
to  us  not  to  be  on  the  front.  Moving  to  Rockville,  a 
very  romantic  little  place,  we  bivouacked  in  a  forest. 

September  14th.  Near  noon  we  reached  Pooleville,  a 
semi-secession  village  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  inhabi 
tants.  Immediately,  eleven  of  our  troops  were  sent  out 
on  picket  service  along  the  left  bank  of  the  Potomac, 
from  Seneca  Creek  on  the  south  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Monocacy  on  the  north — a  line  of  about  twenty  miles. 

September  15th.  Captain  Vose  (Troop  A),  while  across 
the  ford  on  scout  duty,  seized  and  sent  in  two  rebel 
soldiers.  On  the  same  day,  one  of  our  detachments, 
acting  as  skirmishers  for  an  advancing  infantry  force, 
meeting  the  enemy's  cavalry,  had  five  men  captured— 
Corporal  Benoni  Parkinson,  John  Hammel,  James  Grims- 
ley,  Jr.,  (Troop  F),  Sergeant  I.  Wakefield,  Patrick  Par 
ker,  (Troop  G). 

September  16th.  Major  Farrington  captured  the  As 
sistant  Surgeon  of  the  Tenth  Alabama  Infantry,  a  soldier 
of  the  Seventh  Louisiana  Infantry,  and  a  cavalry  man. 
So  we  were  busy  along  the  line,  losing  and  gaining. 
Since  entering  the  service  our  regiment  had  captured 
about  one  hundred  and  thirty  of  the  foe. 

Sixteen  rebels  fell  in  the  suburbs  of  Pooleville  when 
the  raiders  were  pushed  back  on  the  tenth.  Harper's 
Ferry,  that  succumbed  to  Jackson  on  the  fifteenth,  was 
soon  wrenched  from  his  grasp.  The  battle  of  South 
Mountain  occurred  on  the  fourteenth;  and  the  over- 
14 


158  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

whelming  defeat  of  Lee  at  Antietam  occurred  on  the 
seventeentli.  The  deep  thunder  of  these  actions  rolled 
on  our  anxious,  excited  ears.  Lee's  army  of  invasion 
numbered  about  sixty  thousand,  and  he  had  the  sym 
pathy  of  nearly  all  the  country  through  which  he  passed. 
McClellan's  force  to  meet  the  enemy  counted  about  ninety 
thousand.  Lee  surpassed  McClellan  in  agility  and  dash, 
but  the  grit  and  grip  of  our  troops  were  too  much  for 
him.  The  .Confederate  loss,  in  killed,  wounded  and  cap 
tured,  amounted  to  about  seventeen  thousand.  The 
Federal  loss,  excluding  the  Harper's  Ferry  garrison, 
amounted/to  about  fifteen  thousand.  Sad  records  these. 
Reno  fell  at  South  Mountain;  Mansfield,  Richardson  and 
Rodman  fell  at  Antietam.  The  significant  success  of 
Antietam  induced  President  Lincoln  to  issue  (September 
22d)  his  premonitory  proclamation  of  emancipation— 
the  great  strategic  measure  that  put  the  plow  of  war  deep 
into  the  subsoil  of  secession. 

September  18th.  We  began  to  report  to  General  Stone- 
man,  who,  now  that  the  great  battle  wave  had  passed, 
took  steps  to  have  our  command  refitted  with  clothes, 
Hrins,  and  horses.  Of  our  life  at  this  time,  we  will  read 
from  Sargent's  record: 

"We  now  had  good  and  abundant  rations:  beef,  pork, 
potatoes,  dried  apples,  beans,  soft  bread,  coffee,  and  sugar. 
Occasionally  we  had  the  favorite  Yankee  dish — baked 
beans,  furnished  after  the  following  recipe:  Dig  a  hole 
in  the  ground;  build  a  fire  in  it;  accumulate  coals;"  par 
boil  the  beans;  take  part  of  the  coals  from  the  hole;  put 
the  kettle  in  the  hole;  scatter  coals  around  it;  cover  it 
with  tin  or  sheet-iron;  fill  the  hole  with  sod  and  soil;  let 
all  remain  over  night;  take  out  the  smoking  beans  for 
breakfast. 

"We  suffered  from  scarcity  of  fuel,  there  being  no 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  159 

woods  at  hand;  but  there  were  rail  fences,  and  the  way 
these  disappeared  after  dark  was  amazing,  especially  to 
the  old  gentleman  who  moused  around  our  sentinel  line 
in  the  day-time  to  solve  the  mystery.  While  here,  the 
postal  currency  first  made  its  appearance,  and  soft  tricks 
were  played  on  the  uninitiated  darkies  and  peddlers,  who 
accepted  for  corn,  labels  of  pain  killer  bottles,  of  matches, 
and  other  trade-marks.  Old  postage  stamps  were  as 
good  as  new.  The  boys  obtained  goodies,  and  the  vend 
ers  cut  their  eye-teeth.  Shortly,  however,  on  account 
of  a  wholesome  lecture  from  the  Colonel,  the  game 
played  out. 

"Fruit  abounded,  especially  peaches  a"nd  apples,  the 
former  at  seventy-five  cents  per  bushel.  One  orchard 
owner  gave  us  permission  to  gather  the  windfalls;  so 
daily  we  filled  ourselves  and  our  haversacks,  and  enjoyed 
sauce  in  camp.  One  of  the  citizens  made  a  quantity  of 
cider,  and  was  wise  enough  to  let  the  boys  have  it  on 
credit,  having  the  impression  that  we  were  to  be  paid  off 
in  a  few  days;  but  pay-day  was  some  months  distant. 
We  wonder  if  the  boys  ever  settled  that  bill?  But  the- 
people  were  half  secesh.  Our  band  kindly  serenaded  the 
Union  portion  of  the  population." 

September  19th.  We  removed  from  the  south  edge  of 
Pooleville  to  the  northeast  of  the  village,  on  the  road  to 
Conrad's  Ferry.  Only  five  troops  now  remained  on 
picket  duty.  Again  Colonel  Burgess  reached  us  to  cheer 
us  with  his  presence  and  liberality,  though  he  was  still 
suffering  from  the  wound  he  received  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  on  the  Peninsula. 

September  20th.  We  learned  that  the  following  mem 
bers  of  our  regiment,  captured  and  carried  to  Richmond, 
had  been  paroled  and  were  in  Camp  Parole  at  Annapolis: 
M.  A.  Tenney,  J.  S.  Brown,  E.  Myers,  J.  Williams,  A. 


160  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

England,  A.  T.  Hicks,  E.  L.  Briggs,  J.  Mulvey,  H. 
Newell,  D.  R.  Dim-den,  J.  Crasson,  W.  A.  Caldwell,  0. 
H.  Bagley,  J.  Greene,  C.  P.  Smith.  Captain  C apron 
was  still  in  Richmond. 

September  22d.  With  the  band,  a  sergeant,  and  six 
men,  the  Chaplain  solemnized,  in  the  Methodist  Church 
in  the  village,  the  funeral  of  Joseph  J.  Hall,  Orderly 
Sergeant  of  the  First  Maryland  Cavalry,  who,  on  the 
second  instant,  at  Leesburg,  received  a  ball  in  his  hip,  a 
thrust  in  his  back,  and  two  sabre  cuts  on  the  head,  which 
induced  fever,  resulting  in  his  death  at  Edwards'  Ferry 
on  the  twentieth.  Only  five  members  of  his  regiment 
were  present,  two  of  them  his  brothers.  We  all  were 
his  brothers  in  a  sacred  cause.  How  tenderly  we  laid  in 
the  grave  the  young  martyr — age  twenty-five — and  over 
him  fired  the  funeral  volley. 

Our  camp  was  laid  out  in  order,  and  conducted  with 
military  regularity.  Seven  troops  were  in  camp,  and  five 
on  picket.  Only  seven  men  were  in  the  regimental  hos 
pital.  Usually  our  religious  services  were  held  in  a  fine 
oak  grove;  but  on  the  twenty -eighth,  agreeably  to  ar 
rangements  made  by  the  Chaplain  with  the  Baptist, 
Episcopal,  and  Methodist  churches  in  Pooleville,  the 
regiment,  in  three  detachments,  according  to  the  prefer 
ences  of  officers  and  men,  entered  the  village  churches 
and  shared  and  augmented  the  devotions  of  the  people; 
it  being  the  first  instance  of  worship  in  a  church  since 
we  left  the  good  land  of  New  England.  Sweet  associa 
tions  and  memories  thronged  upon  us  under  those  sacred 
roofs.  For  seven  months  we  had  worshipped  alone  in 
the  great  un pillared  temple,  where  our  songs  blended 
with  the  chanting  winds,  and  our  confessions,  thanks 
givings,  and  petitions  rose  unobstructed  to  the  throne 
above. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  161 

Lieutenant  R.  Burgess  and  five  men  captured  three 
"gray  backs"  across  the  Potomac,  and  Captain  Vose 
added  another. 

September  29th.  Lieutenant  Peterson  gladdened  us 
by  his  arrival  with  forty-two  recruits,  twenty-seven  of 
them  being  from  New  Hampshire.  Captain  Capron, 
having  been  paroled,  was  now  in  Annapolis. 

October  1st.  Having  moved  our  camp  to  the  south 
western  border  of  Pooleville,  we  had  not  set  it  in  order 
when,  on  this  day,  a  messenger  reached  General  Stone- 
man's  headquarters  calling  for  an  additional  force  near 
Conrad's  Ferry.  Colonel  Duffie  despatched  four  troops, 
under  Major  Swett,  to  render  the  needed  assistance. 
The  next  morning  (October  2d)  all  our  available  force 
was  called  to  saddle  and  hurried  to  the  front  under  our 
scarred  standard,  with  artillery  accompanying  us.  Be 
fore  night  an  artillery  discussion  took  place  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Monocacy.  Bivouacking,  we  watched  for 
the  morning,  and  at  eleven  A.  M.  (October  3d),  sup 
ported  by  a  regiment  of  infantry,  crossed  the  Potomac, 
finding  it  waist  deep,  and  dashed  upon  Leesburg.  Troop 
L  was  ordered  to  charge  through  the  city,  and  on  enter 
ing  found  the  rebels  had  evacuated  it  about  an  hour 
before.  Taking  a  few  prisoners,  we  returned  by  Con 
rad's  Ferry,  our  troops  resuming  their  stations  on  picket, 
save  four  that  returned  to  Pooleville.  Lieutenant  Shurt- 
liff  reached  camp  in  our  absence  (October  2d)  with  more 
than  a  hundred  recruits.  We  were  also  now  being  re 
fitted  with  clothes  and  arms. 

October  5th.  "Boots  and  Saddles"  early  brought  us 
into  line  to  dash  across  the  Potomac  to  checkmate  an 
attack  of  rebel  cavalry  in  the  vicinity  of  Leesburg.  But 
soon  the  "recall "  suffered  us  to  rest.  After  our  Sabbath 
worship  we  received  from  the  Government  one  hundred 
14* 


1G2  SABRES  AND  SPURS^  [October, 

and  seventy-five  fresh  horses  to  supply  our  recruits  and 
fill  the  gaps  made  by  rebel  shot  and  shell.  Thus  we  once 
more  began  to  look  and  feel  like  ourselves. 

Colonel  Duffie  had  a  very  happy  way  of  occasionally 
addressing  the  regiment  and  encouraging  the  men,  by 
brief  papers  designated  Special  Orders,  two  of  .which  we 
may  here  copy: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  | 
POOLEVILLE,  Maryland,  September  27,  1862.      f 

[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  — .] 
Officers  and  men  of  the  Firxt  Rhode  Inland  Cavalry: 

Your  commander  finds  unbounded  pleasure  in  congratulating 
the  regiment  upon  the  high  state  of  order  and  discipline  observable 
in  every  part  of  the  camp. 

As  the  character  of  a  nation  always  depends  upon  the  individual 
virtues  of  her  citizens,  and  not  upon  the  splendor  of  her  court,  or 
her  wealth,  so  the  efficiency  of  her  army  depends  entirely  upon 
the  individual  virtue  of  its  soldiers,  and  their  constant  attention 
to  the  minutiae  and  drill  of  daily  and  hourly  life,  and  not  upon 
the  splendor  of  its  appointments,  or  its  numbers. 

The  zeal  manifested  in  the  performance  of  your  daily  duties; 
the  assiduity  with  which  you  have  prosecuted  your  studies;  the 
efficiency  of  your  drill,  especially  in  the  sabre  exercise,  in  which, 
you  have  been  more  particularly  engaged  during  the  past  few 
days;  the  general  cleanliness  of  the  men;  their  arms,  equipments 
and  tents;  the  company  streets,  the  horses  and  their  equipments, 
all  show  soldierly  pride  and  a  laudable  ambition  to  be  worthy  of 
the  great  and  holy  mission  to  which  you  are  called — that  of  de 
fending  your  country  and  the  integrity  of  her  constitution  in  this 
hour  of  her  extreme  peril.  For  this  I  thank  you  from  the  bottom 
of  my  heart.  Persevere,  and  continue  to  be  worthy  of  your 
country's  gratitude. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE,  Colonel. 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  | 
POOLEVILLE,  Maryland,  October  5,  1862.          f 

[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  — .] 
Calling  the  attention  of  the  regiment  to  the  late  campaign  from 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  163 

the  Potomac  to  the  Rapidan  and  back,  your  commander  wishes 
to  assure  you  of  the  high  encomiums  which  have  been  passed  by 
officers  high  in  rank  and  military  attainments,  upon  the  admirable 
manner  in  which  you  performed  your  part  of  that  ever  memorable 
retreat  from  the  Rapidan  to  the  Potomac.  The  last  Federal 
soldiers  to  leave  the  Rapidan;  the  last  to  leave  the  Rappahan- 
nock;  the  last  to  leave  Warrenton  and  its  vicinity;  in  several  of 
the  severest  battles;  under  fire  many  times;  at  all  other  times  on 
outpost  or  other  hazardous  duty;  and  in  almost  every  march,  the 
rear-guard  of  the  Grand  Army  of  Virginia,  or  to  a  main  column — 
you  never  faltered;  you  never  even  hurried,  but,  steady  and  in 
good  order,  as  upon  a  parade  ground,  you  retired,  when  obliged 
reluctantly  to  turn  from  the  superior  numbers  of  the  foe. 

Upon  the  30th  of  August,  at  Bull  Run,  it  is  especially  true  that, 
when  thousands  around  in  direst  confusion  were  escaping  as  fast 
and  best  as  they  might,  your  evolutions  were  more  steadily  and 
perfectly  performed  than  I  have  ever  seen  them  at  any  other  time. 
That  is  so  true,  that  you  here,  by  your  beautiful  appearance,  at 
tracted  the  confidence  of  your  brothers  without  command,  and  soon 
behind  your  rank  were  eight  hundred  seeming  to  implore  your 
protection. 

Generals  of  divisions  have  been  anxious  for  our  services,  and 
many  applications  were  made  for  them.  You  endured  fatigue 
and  privations  without  murmuring  You  are  known  and  appre 
ciated  in  the  proper  quarters.  Soldiers!  your  record  is  a  proud 
one.  See  that  it  be  not  blotted. 

A.  N.  DUFFLE,  Colonel. 

A  pleasant  episode  occurred  in  camp  at  the  presenta 
tion,  to  Lieutenant  L.  D.  Gove,  one  of  our  truest,  worth 
iest  officers,  of  a  beautiful  army  sabre  and  belt — a  gift 
from  his  friends  in  New  Hampshire. 

Our  camp  at  this  time,  southwest  of  the  village,  on  a 
flat  knoll,  with  an  area  of  sixteen  hundred  by  eight  hun 
dred  feet,  commanded  a  view  of  the  Sugar  Loaf  Mount 
ain  on  the  northeast,  the  Ketoctan  and  Blue  Ridge  on 
the  northwest,  and  the  wood-crowned  eminences  that 
looked  down  on  the  winding  Potomac.  Our  troops  had 
position  in  two  lines,  with  squadron  and  battalion  inter- 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

vals;  the  picket  ropes  for  horses  running  parallel  with 
the  shelter  tents  of  the  men.  On  the  officers'  parade, 
from  a  lofty  hickory  staff,  floated  the  post  guidon.  In 
front  of  the  headquarters,  to  the  right  and  left  of  which 
were  the  officers'  tents,  the  band  was  often  invited  to 
play,  and,  occasionally,  in  the  evening,  the  "contra 
bands  "  were  invited  to  sing  and  dance  a  la  plantation 
style. 

October  8th.  Orders  came  to  be  in  readiness  to  march 
at  a  moment's  warning.  In  the  afternoon  thirty  men  of 
Troop  A,  under  Sergeant  Nicoli,  accompanied  General 
Halleck's  scout  to  Leesburg.  In  the  evening  forty  men 
of  Troops  B  and  C,  under  Captain  Bixby,  as  independent 
scouts,  followed  to  the  same  place.  Some  returned  on 
the  ninth,  some  on  the  tenth,  when  two  troops  were  sent 
up  to  Conrad's  Ferry.  The  rebels  were  lingering  in  some 
force  in  the  central  portions  of  London  County. 

Joseph  Shard  (Troop  D)  died  in  hospital  on  the  ninth, 
and  was  buried  in  military  order  on  the  tenth.  The  cof 
fin  was  placed  in  front  of  the  headquarters;  the  escort  at 
the  head,  and  the  pall-bearers  at  the  foot;  the  regiment 
in  line;  the  band  on  the  right;  the  Colonel,  field  and 
staff  officers  near  the  pall-bearers.  The  services  were — 
hymn,  Scripture  reading,  address,  prayer.  With  deep 
dirge  and  solemn  step  we  bore  our  comrade  to  the  Meth 
odist  Churoh  yard,  and  laid  him  by  the  side  of  other 
departed  soldiers. 

October  llth.  A  report  reached  us  that  the  rebels  had 
thrown  four  thousand  cavalry  across  the  Potomac,  some 
above  and  some  below  us.  We  were  the  only  regiment 
in  the  vicinity  of  Pooleville.  We  pushed  a  detachment, 
under  Lieutenant  Higgins,  to  Seneca  Creek,  and  a  squad 
ron,  under  Captain  Bixby,  above  Conrad's  Ferry,  on 
reconnoissance. 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  165 

October  12th.  At  two  o'clock  A.  M.  a  telegram  ordered 
us  to  dash  up  the  river  to  meet  the  invaders  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Monocacy;  but  the  wires  being  cut,  the 
despatch  did  not  reach  us  till  nine  A.  M.  It  should 
have  been  sent  by  mounted  couriers.  Stuart  and  his 
raiders  came  within  three  and  half  miles  of  Pooleville, 
and,  had  they  known  our  condition,  might  have  smitten 
our  camp,  though  not  without  emptied  saddles.  We 
dashed  away  at  double-quick  on  the  Monocacy  road. 
Alas!  the  hour  of  fortune  had  passed.  Stuart  had  stolen 
some  hundreds  of  horses  and  turned  back  for  the  Poto 
mac,  and  was  plunging  across  at  White's  -Ford.  Our 
column  of  sabres,  pressing  on  his  heels,  reached  the 
eastern  shore  as  the  foe  was  emerging  from  the  stream 
on  the  right  bank.  By  way  of  bravado,  Stuart's  artil 
lery  halted  and.  sent  a  few  shell  over  our  column,  but 
without  effect.  Leaving  Captain  Bixby  and  his  sabres 
near  the  Monocacy,  we  spurred  back  to  camp,  chagrined 
that  the  delayed  despatch  had  not  given  us  an  opportu 
nity  to  cross  sabres  with  Stuart.  On  the  preceding  day, 
0.  P.  Smith  (Troop  M)  died  in  our  hospital— the  old 
brick  school-house  in  the  village. 

Forces  of  various  kinds  were  now  pressing  up  to 
Pooleville,  and  before  night  the  place  presented  quite 
the  appearance  of  a  cantonment. 

-  October  13th.  Captain  Bixby  reported  several  hun 
dred  of  Stuart's  command  still  on  the  east  of  the  river. 
Again  our  regiment  spurred  in  hot  haste  to  have  a  stroke 
at  the  raiders,  but  found  them  dispersed  in  the  forests 
and  secret  places  of  the  hills.  In  the  evening,  Lieuten 
ant  Peterson  reached  us  with  about  fifty  new  men.  By 
him,  on  his  return  to  Rhode  Island,  we  sent  home  to 
Governor  Sprague,  for  sacred  keeping,  our  clear  old 
standard — torn  and  shattered  by  the  battles  of  the  val- 


166  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

ley,  of  Cedar  Mountain,  Rappahannock,  Groveton,  Bull 
Run,  (Jhantilly,  White's  Ford,  and  numberless  skir 
mishes.  We  felt  a  tender  regret  at  parting  with  the 
sacred  symbol  of  loyalty  and  liberty,  under  which  we  had 
so  often  rallied  for  our  heroic  work.  We  had  received  it 
to  our  centre  of  column  and  to  our  hearts.  We  had  now 
no  standard  to  cheer  us,  and  were  about  to  move  again  to 
fields  of  action.  The  Government,  however,  had  sup 
plied  us  with  new  guidons  to  fill  the  places  of  those  worn 
out  in  the  hotly  contested  fields.  Occasionally  our  scout 
ing  parties  picked  up  a  few  of  the  "gray  backs."  Lieu 
tenant  Higgins  brought  in  eight — two  of  them  cavalry 
men. 

October  18th-19th.     The  first  frosts  of  the  season. 

October  21st.  Levi  Ordway  (Troop  L)  died  in  our 
regimental  hospital. 

General  McClellan,  having  refitted  his  army,  was  now 
commencing  his  forward  movement  up  the  Shenandoah 
and  along  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  mountains. 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  167 


CHAPTER    XX. 

OVER    THE     KETOCTAN. 
OCTOBER— NOVEMBER,  1862. 

}CTOBER  25th.  After  being  reviewed  by  General 
Stoneman,  we  were  inspected  by  a  colonel  of  Gen 
eral  Burnside's  staff,  who  pronounced  us  the  best  drilled 
cavalry  regiment  he  had  ever  seen. 

October  26th.  After  receiving  orders  to  be  ready  to 
march,  a  tremendous  storm  of  wind  and  rain  smote  us, 
prostrating  our  tents  and  drenching  us  so  thoroughly 
that  we  sighed  for  "  a  lodge  in  some  vast  wilderness,"  as 
preferable  to  our  naked  post  on  a  knoll. 

October  27th.     The  final  order  came  to  move. 

October  28th.  In  the  cold  morning  air  the  bugles 
summoned  us  from  moist  blankets  to  wet  and  frozen 
saddles,  for  the  earth  was  crusted  with  frost.  By  day 
light  the  guidons  were  in  line,  the  band  at  the  head  of 
the  column;  three  wagons,  with  three  days'  rations,  and 
one  ambulance,  as  our  train;  all  else  left  with  the  Quar 
termaster,  to  be  brought  forward  in  a  few  days.  Our 
sick  were  left  in  good  hands  in  the  hospital. 

We  forded  the  swollen  Potomac,  now  about  four  feet 
deep,  at  Conrad's  Ferry.  Troop  H,  under  Captain 
Turner,  on  detached  service  with  General  Robinson,  led 


168  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

the  advance  across  White's  Ford,  and  scoured  the  coun 
try  around  in  true  cavalier  style,  making  straight  the 
paths  of  the  infantry.  Reaching  the  suburbs  of  Lees- 
burg,  we  were  instantly  sent  out  in  detachments  on 
picket  to  Waterford  on  the  right  and  Aldie  on  the  left — 
a  line  of  about  twenty  miles.  The  rebels  being  in  force 
on  our  front,  our  service  was  again  arduous  and  critical; 
but  it  continued  only  four  days,  as  the  enemy  was  falling- 
back  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  advancing. 

October  30th.  Our  supply  train,  leaving  Pooleville, 
crossing  the  river  at  White's  Ford,  halted  with  General 
Stoneman  for  the  night,  and  on  the  next  day  with  the 
General  joined  the  headquarters  at  Leesburg.  On  the 
morning  of  the  thirtieth,  Lieutenant  Ellis  (Troop  K), 
with  three  men  of  Troop  M,  captured,  about  one  mile 
north  of  Aldie,  in  his  own  house, — former  residence  of 
President  Monroe — Major  John  W.  Fairfax,  of  General 
Longstreet's  staff,  as  the  Major  had  ventured  home  on  a 
flying  visit.  By  the  way,  he  was  a  leading  man  in  Lou- 
don  County,  and  in  every  way  a  gentleman. 

October  31st.  The  brigades  that  had  come  up  ad 
vanced  through  Leesburg,  and,  in  passing,  all  the  bands 
poured  forth  to  the  disloyal  ears  of  the  city  the  purest  of 
our  national  airs.  When  they  played  "  We  are  marching 
along,"  all  the  regiments  caught  the  air,  adding  the 
words,  and  rolled  the  music  like  a  wave  of  loyal  fervor 
over  the  city  and  out  on  the  hills.  The.  buildings  bore 
the  marks  of  the  shell  with  which  the  rebels  had  been 
driven  from  the  place.  On  the  evening  of  this  day, 
Lieutenant  Pratt  reached  us  to  act  as  regimental  com 
missary,  for  our  able  Quartermaster  had  long  needed  an  as 
sistant,  on  account  of  the  peculiar  duties  of  our  command. 

But  the  thirty-first  of  October  was  made  a  mournfully 
historic  date  to  our  command,  though  the  news  of  our 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  169 

loss  did  not  reach  us  till  the  day  following.  Troops  I, 
L,  and  M  were  on  picket  along  the  front,  from  Aldie 
northward,  where  they  were  confronted  by  portions  of 
Stuart's  cavalry.  Soon  after  noon,  not  aware  of  the 
movements  of  the  foe,  they  were  suddenly  attacked  by  a 
heavy  force — the  most  of  a  regiment — breaking  through 
the  picket  line  and  dashing  upon  the  picket  headquarters 
at  Mountville,  about  five  miles  above  Aldie  on  the  Snick 
er's  Gap  Turnpike.  Against  such  a  heavy,  well  planned, 
sudden  stroke  our  men  vainly  attempted  to  form  and 
make  resistance.  In  the  brave  effort  to  make  a  stand, 
our  noble  and  honored  Lieutenant  L.  D.  Gove — who, 
since  July,  had  been  acting  Captain — received  a  mortal 
wound  in  the  spine,  near  the  small  of  the  back,  which 
instantly  paralyzed  the  lower  extremities,  and  from  which 
he  died  on  the  following  morning  (November  1st)  at  the 
house  of  James  Mount,  from  whom,  we  are  assured,  lie 
received  kind  attention,  and  by  whom  he  was  buried  in 
a  suitable  coffin,  in  the  family  burying-ground. 

Lieutenant  (acting  Captain)  LORENZO  D.  GOVE.  He 
was  an  efficient  and  brave  officer,  and  his  loss  was  deeply 
felt  in  our  command,  as  well  as  at  his  home  in  Hanover, 
New  Hampshire.  His  widow  lost  a  kind  and  affectionate 
husband;  his  seven  children  mourned  a  fond  and  brave 
father;  and  his  fellow  townsmen  wept  a  true  and  valuable 
citizen.  He  raised  himself,  by  noble  efforts,  from  a  hum 
ble  position  in  life  to  places  of  trust  and  honor,  acting  as 
Deputy  Sheriff  and  Captain  in  the  State  Militia.  By  all 
who  had  known  him  his  death  was  received  with  sorrow 
and  regret,  as  though  they  had  suffered  personal  loss. 
Words  may  not  express  the  feelings  of  his  comrades  in 
arms. 

The  hills  of  New  Hampshire  his  requiem  sound, 
But  the  blood  of  our  martyrs  makes  holy  our  ground. 


170  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

In  repelling  the  attack,  Lieutenant  Andrews  and  his 
men  killed  one  rebel  captain  and  severely  wounded  i\ 
number  of  the  rebel  soldiers.  Of  our  men  the  following 
were  captured:  (from  Troop  I)  Corporal  J.  S.  Cilly,  Cor 
poral  J.  A.  Warren,  Corporal  S.  Davis,  G.  W.  Brown, 
W.  H.  Allard,  D.  B.  Boswell,  W.  O'Brien,  J.  B.  Carr,  A. 
L.  Cilly,  P.  Dorman,  W.  H.  Everett,  F.  P.  Elkins,  W. 
H.  Eaton,  C.  G.  Huntoon,  J.  Hunt,  D.  E.  Rand,  D.  S. 
Mooney,  0.  F.  Merrell,  J.  W.  Sanders,  J.  M.  Pressey,  C. 

D.  Dimmick;  (from  Troop  L)  Sergeant  G.  W.  White, 
•Corporal  E.  F.   Moore,  Corporal  C.  W.  Lovejoy,   Cor 
poral  W.  W.  Tuttle,  T.  C.  Cressey,  A.  Gove,  T.  W.  Har 
rington,  J.  V.  Herrick,  A.  P.  O'Donnell,  E.  L.  Pardee, 

A.  Pray,  L.  Taylor,  M.  Trodan,  W.   H.   Chase,  J.  W. 
Sheppard;  (from  Troop  M)  Lieutenant  J.  F.  Andrews, 
Sergeant  S.   B.  Weston,  Sergeant  N.   P.  Kidder,  J.  S. 
Boswell,  W.  J.  Brad  wick,  C.  B.  Sheldon,  H.  H.  Newton, 

B.  J.  Lawrence,  H.  Stearnes,  E.  J.  Collins,  G.  H.  Smith, 
W.  J.  Perkins,  J.  Hobbs,  F.  Hobbs:  in  all,  fifty-one. 

Our  captured  men,  deprived  of  their  horses,  stripped 
of  their  overcoats  and  boots,  were  hurried  on  foot  within 
the  enemy's  lines.  Hearing  of  the  disaster,  our  regiment 
at  once  dashed  out  to  the  front,  in  hope  of  returning  the 
blow  and  recovering  at  least  the  body  of  our  lamented 
Lieutenant;  but  our  effort  was  in  vain.  In  the  fray,  E. 

E.  Patrick  (Troop  L)  escaped  with  his  left  arm  broken. 
The  rebels  also  attacked  Generals  Bayard  and  Pleasanton. 

November  1st.  The  battle  raged  sharply  all  day  near 
Snicker's  Gap,  on  our  right,  and  the  Confederates  were 
severely  handled  and  pushed  back. 

November  2d.  With  General  Stoneman's  division  we 
moved  on,  by  the  Winchester  Turnpike,  through  the 
foot-hills  and  up  the  Ketoctan  Mountains,  reaching  the 
Mountain. House,  on  Mount  Gilead,  at  eleven  o'clock  at 


1862.]  FIKST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  171 

night.  On  our  march  the  scenery  was  delightful;-  the 
views  broad  and  grand.  Forests,  valleys,  hills,  and 
mountains  were  sublime  in  their  autumnal  robes;  but 
a  cold  squall,  followed  by  a  frosty  night,  distracted  our 
attention  from  the  charms  of  nature;  moreover,  the 
battle  was  still  raging  in  full  view  from  Mount  Gilead — 
the  flashes  of  the  guns  seen  in  the  gap  at  our  right. 

By  the  way,  in  our  march,  in  London  County,  a  little 
west  of  Ball's  Bluff,  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  spurs  of 
the  Ketoctan,  we  passed  the  Big  Spring — a  giant  of  it* 
kind — issuing  from  a  rocky  recess  like  a  small  river,  in 
crystal  beauty,  purity,  and  power,  alone  carrying  the 
wheels  of  a  large  flouring  mill.  Near  by  this  we  passed 
a  field  of  three  hundred  acres  of  beautiful  ungarnered 
corn.  And  here,  for  variety,  we  add  a  word  about  trees. 
In  Virginia  we  counted  about  twenty  species  of  the  genus 
oak:  more  thrifty  but  less  firm  than  the  quercus  family 
of  New  England.  In  the  mountains,  in  one  instance, 
we  found  great  quantities  of  black  walnuts.  The  forests 
of  the  Old  Dominion  would  supply  the  navies  of  the 
world.  We  frequently  met  with  persimmon  trees,  but 
woe  to  the  mouth  that  touched  the  fruit  that  had  not 
been  kissed  by  the  frost. 

November  3d.  Our  headquarters  remaining  on  Mount 
Gilead,  our  men  were  on  picket  and  scout.  This  day  the 
enemy  fell  back  from  Mountville,  and  we  were  privileged 
to  visit  the  grave  of  Lieutenant  Gove,  on  which  we  could 
not  look  with  dry  eyes. 

At  our  headquarters  in  the  Mountain  House,  some 
officers  will  recollect  how  Captain  Manchester,  after 
succeeding,  by  the  point  of  his  sabre,  in  prying  open 
a  mysterious  closet  door,  lifted  his  arms  and  exclaimed, 
"et  jam  satis"  as  his  eyes  took  in  the  shelves  laden  with 
jellies  and  preserves.  The  stress  of  his  classical  utter- 


172  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

ance  fell  where  shortly  fell  our  lips — on  the  jam.  Visit 
ing  a  plantation  house  near  by,  formerly  the  seat  of 
wealth,  we  found  the  inmates,  in  the  evening,  using  for 
lamps  saucers  of  fat  in  which  were  lighted  bits  of  rags. 

November  4th.  Advancing,  we  bivouacked  near  Union 
Village.  Meanwhile,  some  of  the  troops  were  reconnoi- 
tering  to  Thoroughfare  Gap,  Middleburg,  and  other 
localities,  feeling  for  the  foe  and  spurring  him  on  his 
retreat.  Still  more  or  less  cannonading  was  going  on  at 
our  right  in  the  passes  of  the  Blue  Ridge. 

November  5th.  While  some  of  our  troops  videtted 
our  front  and  scouted  to  the  left,  we  advanced  through 
Middleburg  and  White  Plains  to  Salem,  our  train  follow 
ing,  but  reaching  only  to  WThite  Plains,  by  reason  of  the 
hard  mountain  roads.  In  Middleburg  we  were  met  by 
frowns,  scowls,  supercilious  flings  and  bitter  maledictions 
from  the  proud,  secession-hearted  inhabitants.  A  pas 
sionate  woman  cried  out,  "  If  you  kill  our  men,  then  the 
women  will  fight;  and  we  will  burn  the  houses  over  our 
heads  before  we  wall  again  live  under  your  old  grid 
iron"— alluding  to  our  national  flag.  This  reminds  us 
of  the  speech  of  a  rebel  mother  in  Centreville,  who  said, 
"  I  would  kill  every  one  of  my  children,  and  then  fight 
till  I  died,  before  I  would  consent  to  have  niggers  made 
equal  to  white  folks."  Such  speeches  revealed  the  ani 
mus  of  the  rebellion.  In  Middleburg  we  saw  an  aged 
slave  woman,  whose  ten  children  had  been  sold  away 
south  by  her  master,  and  who  herself  had  been  at  last 
turned  from  her  master's  mansion,  to  live  in  the  log 
cabin  of  a  colored  friend. 

The  night  of  November  5th  at  Salem  is  well  remem 
bered,  not  only  because  we  were  obliged  to  lie  down  on 
the  cold  earth  in  our  wet  clothes, — as  it  had  rained — but 
this  too  after  we  had  pulled  up  and  eaten  the  roots  of 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY."  173 

cabbages — the  heads  having  been  captured  by  others — 
and  been  obliged  even  to  sacrifice  the  doves  in  their  cozy 
quarters.  At  the  same  time  we  looked  out  upon  the 
mountains,  on  our  right  and  front,  and  saw  the  innumer 
able  camp  fires  of  the  great  host  gleaming  on  the  cold 
night  air.  The  whole  host,  of  which  we  were  the  left 
wing,  numbered  more  than  one  hundred  and  forty-three 
thousand.  The  fires  of  such  an  army  on  the  mountains 
may  not  be  forgotten. 

November  6th.  Shortly  after  midnight,  couriers,  from 
the  way  of  Thoroughfare  Gap,  passed  us  on  their  way  to 
the  headquarters  of  General  McClellan,  then  at  Rector- 
town,  to  notify  him  that  he  was  to  be  relieved  of  his 
command  and  to  be  succeeded  by  General  Burnside. 
Perhaps  McClellan  had  been  too  cautious  and  slow  in  his 
movements.  The  body  of  Lee's  army  had  slipped  up  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  through  the  gaps  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
and  was  now  moving  towards  Culpepper  and  the  Rapidan : 
a  slow  retreat,  marked  by  constant  skirmishes  and  a  num 
ber  of  battles,  conducted  mainly  by  artillery.  Our  army 
was  now  about  to  turn  southward  between  the  Bull  Run 
and  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 


i.v 


174:  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

ON     TO    FREDERICKSBURG. 
NOVEMBER— DECEMBER,  1862. 

'OVEMBER  6th.  We  were  now  on  the  beautiful 
hills  at  the  head  of  the  romantic  valley  of  the 
north  fork  of  the  Rappahannock.  After  our  train  reached 
us  from  White  Plains,  we  moved  out  of  Salem,  by  hor 
ribly  rough  roads,  and  on  over  hills  and  through  ravines 
to  a  locality  known  as  Clover  Hill;  and,  while  the  cold 
wind  pierced  us,  bivouacked  in  a  little  valley,  on  the 
estate  of  the  notorious  John  A.  Washington,  the  man 
who  sold  the  Mount  Yernon  estate  to  the  ladies,  and 
with  the  avails  bought  and  fitted  this  plantation  among 
the  hills.  His  residence  was  splendid  throughout,  but 
was  now  vacant,  as  he  had  fallen  in  the  Confederate  ser 
vice  and  his  family  had  departed. 

It  is  thought  to  be  an  art  to  keep  a  hotel:  it  is  most 
certainly  a  science  to  successfully  put  into  bivouac  a 
tentless,  weary,  chilly,  hungry,  supperless  regiment  of 
horse  among  the  mountains  on  a  raw,  storm-threatening 
November  night.  That  science  was  possessed  by  Colonel 
Duffie;  not  but  what  we  shivered  a  little  after  all.  The 
manner  of  our  bivouacking  is  worthy  of  mention.  Col 
onel  Duffie  ordered  details  of  men  to  secure  a  large  num- 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  175 

ber  of  short  forked  stakes,  and  drive  them,  some  ten  feet 
apart,  in  a  line  across  the  little  valley  through  which  the 
cold  wind  was  sweeping.  Rails  were  then  ordered  to  be 
laid  on  the  tops  of  the  stakes  in  the  forks,  making  a 
continuous  line  across  the  valley.  Then  the  soldiers 
were  directed  to  bring  great  quantities  of  the  corn,  stand 
ing  in  shock  near  by,  and  place  the  bundles  like  a  slant 
roof  on  the  windward  side  of  the  line  of  rails,  thus  mak 
ing  a  long,  low,  but  quite  close  shed,  under  which  our 
men,  after  caring  for  their  horses  in  the  lees  of  the  forest, 
and  supping  on  hard-tack  and  coffee,  wrapped  themselves 
in  their  blankets  and  prayed  for  rest.  This  was  a  new 
method  of  extemporizing  a  camp.  The  ears  on  the  corn 
were  a  comfort  to  the  horses,  and  were  even  relished  a  little 
by  the  men.  Colonel  Duffle's  tact  in  field  life,  providing 
for  men  and  beasts,  and  handling  his  command,  was  ad 
mirable  and  inimitable. 

November  7th.  General  Burnside  took  command  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  morning  revealed 
thick  ice  and  an  approaching  storm,  and  shortly  it  began 
to  snow.  Illy  were  we  prepared  in  clothing  for  such 
piercing  weather.  By  by-ways,  vales,  forests,  and  hills, 
while  wind  and  snow  beat  upon  us,  we  pushed  towards 
Waterloo,  six  miles  west  of  Warrenton,  and  near  one  of 
the  forks  of  the  Rappahannock.  In  the  afternoon,  cold, 
wet,  hungry  and  weary,  we,  with  an  artillery  company 
and  a  body  of  infantry,  halted  on  a  large  and  not  wholly 
peeled  plantation:  but  the  final  peeling  soon  took  place. 
In  less  than  thirty  minutes  after  the  bugles  blew  the 
"halt"  for  us  and  our  associate  forces,  three  stacks  of 
hay  disappeared,  a  flock  of  sheep  disappeared,  certain 
swine  had  fought  their  last  battle,  certain  fowls  met  with 
foul  play,  and  bee  hives  were  contributing  to  the  tooth- 
someness  of  hard-tack. 


176  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

Captain  Baker  tells  a  story  of  Colonel  Duffie:  That 
once,  while  giving  orders  to  the  officers  not  to  allow  the 
men  to  forage  on  swine,  and  not  to  let  him  hear  the 
squealing,  a  loud  squeal  came  from  the  rear  of  the  Col 
onel's  tent,  occasioned  by  the  Colonel's  darkey,  Ferris, 
who  was  practicing  the  foraging  art  on  a  fine  porker. 
The  Colonel  thrust  both  hands  to  his  ears  and  exclaimed, 
"  I  no  hear  him  squeal." 

When  Lieutenant  Pratt  at  last  came  up  to  our  halting 
ground  with  his  augmented  cattle  train,  he  soberly  pro 
tested  that  "the  rebel  cattle  straggled  like  the  devil." 
Of  course  they  naturally  joined  his  herd  for  loyal  pro 
tection.  Finally  we  pushed  on  near  to  Waterloo  and 
bivouacked,  with  the  snow  three  inches  deep,*  and  still 
falling.  Our  only  shelter  was  the  forest.  The  rebels 
were  in  our  front  on  the  Rappahannock.  Federal  forces 
were  near  us  on  our  right,  shivering  like  ourselves,  and 
making  the  best  possible  use  of  large  camp  fires,  to 
induce  the  visitation  of  sleep,  while  for  music  we  had  the 
boom  of  cannonading  and  the  crack  of  rifles  in  the  not 
remote  distance. 

A  solemn  and  awful  grandeur  belonged  to  this  march 
of  more  than  a  hundred  and  forty  thousand  men,  mov 
ing  with  steady,  mighty  tread  along  the  mountains,  in  the 
stormy  days  of  autumn,  pursuing  a  great  and  determined 
army,  and  drawing  nigh  to  some  fiery,  gory  field.  The 
future  was  hidden;  we  only  knew  the  thrilling  experi 
ences  of  each  day  as  they  came.  And  who  but  those 
who  have  experienced  them  can  understand  the  trials, 
anxieties,  solicitudes,  responsibilities,  sufferings,  sorrows, 
and  sacrifices  belonging  to  great  armies  in  actual  and 
fierce  war?  The  throes  of  a  nation  of  forty  million  souls 
are  not  small  pains. 

Our  forces  were  sweeping  down  the  mountain  slopes 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  177 

into  the  valley  of  the  Rappahannock.  Commands  of 
every  arm  of  the  service  were  earnestly  surging  south 
ward  to  overtake  the  foe.  Supplies,  hitherto  a  little 
scant,  were  being  hurried  forward  from  Washington. 
Our  regiment  was  kept  on  scout  or  picket,  on  van  or 
flank  service.  Mounted  troops  were  in  great  demand, 
and  our  command  was  especially  prized  for  speed,  tact 
and  efficiency. 

November  9th.  We  moved  about  three  miles  to  the 
southeast. 

November  10th.  Our  supply  reached  us,  having  nar 
rowly  escaped  the  rebel  cavalry  in  the  mountain  roads. 
We  now  reported  to  General  Stoneman,  and  two  squad 
rons  were  sent  across  the  Rappahannock,  while  two 
troops  were  retained  for  the  special  service  of  the  Gen 
eral.  Our  train  bivouacked  near  Carter  Run  meeting 
house.  Here  General  Burnside  passed  us,  moving  to  the 
front;  right  heartily  we  cheered  him.  Many  of  our 
forces  were  now  across  the  river  in  Culpepper  County. 

November  llth.  Near  Hazee  Run  occurred  a  smart 
skirmish — a  battle,  indeed — in  which  our  squadrons  par 
ticipated,  Colonel  Duffie,  with  carbine  in  hand,  leading 
our  men,  and  himself  emptying  a  rebel  saddle.  We  had 
two  horses  wounded,  but  no  men;  and  we  rolled  the 
enemy  back  to  Culpepper  Court  House.  We  ought  also 
to  mention  the  coolness,  bravery,  and  executive  skill  of  ten 
exhibited  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson.  In  fact, 
our  officers,  as  a  body,  had  not  only  the  confidence  of 
our  command,  but  the  praise  of  all  general  officers  of  the 
army. 

Warrenton,  now  captured  by  us  for  the  third  time,  was 
our  depot  for  supplies,  and  between  it  and  Washington 
heavy  trains  were  constantly  swiftly  flying.  From  this 
as  a  base,  for  the  time,  immense  trains  of  army  wagons, 


178  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

with  amis,  ammunition,  and  provisions,  were  streaming 
out  over  the  hills  to  the  army  front.  Here  we  found 
some  of  the  rebel  wounded  in  the  basement  of  the  Epis 
copal  Church,  used  as  a  hospital.  The  rebel  inhabitants 
could  illy  suppress  their  hatred  of  the  Yankees,  and  their 
contempt  for  our  Government.  A  young  lady  (hie!) 
passing  along  the  street  and  seeing  a  miniature  Federal 
flag  in  the  head-band  of  one  of  the  lead  horses  of  an 
army  wagon,  darted  like  a  fury  from  the  sidewalk, 
snatched  the  flag  and  dashed  it  to  the  ground,  exclaim 
ing,  "Don't  disgrace  the  poor  brute  with  such  a  vile 
thing  as  that." 

Horses  have  ailments  as  well  as  men.  Ours  were  at 
tacked  with  the  hoof  rot,  caused  by  the  muddy,  miry, 
cold  earth;  often  the  entire  hoof  coming  off.  On  the 
fifteenth,  we  exchanged  these  afflicted  beasts  for  fresh 
ones,  near  Warrenton,  and  were  ready  on  the  sixteenth 
to  advance  down  the  valley.  In  this  vicinity  it  was  some 
cheer  to  us,  as  at  times  it  had  been  in  our  mountain 
marches,  to  meet  the  Rhode  Island  batteries  and  the 
Fourth  and  Seventh  Rhode  Island  Infantry.  Our  New 
Hampshire  men  were  alike  happy  in  meeting  regiments 
from  the  Granite  State.  Ships  hail  each  other  at  sea  — 
SQ  soldiers  hail  each  other  on  the  rolling  billows  of  war. 

In  reference  to  the  action  of  November  llth,  near 
Hazee  Run,  the  Colonel  issued  the  following: 

[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  —  .] 
Officer*  mid  men  of  the  First  Battalion  (Did  Captain  Manchester's 


Your  Colonel  has  great  pride  in  thanking  you  for  gallant  con 
duct  on  the  llth  instant.  Your  charge  up  the  hill,  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy  outnumbering  you  many  to  one,  was  an  act  of  courage 
and  heroism  seldom  seen,  and  in  its  results  never  excelled.  With 
their  ranks  completely  broken,  they  were  driven  more  than  three 


1862.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  179 

miles  in  the  utmost  confusion;  and  when,  in  their  insolence,  they 
afterwards  returned,  you  again  attacked  and  dispersed  them,  thus 
freeing  that  part  of  our  lines  from  annoyance. 

The  cavalry  service  is,  in  the  main,  a  thankless  one;  the  duties 
hazardous  and  severe,  both  for  men  and  horses;  and  it  is  only  by 
a  manly,  self-sacrificing  spirit  that  we  are  able  to  bring  about 
results,  so  important  in  themselves,  and  which  seldom  appear  on 
the  surface.  Our  reward  is  not  in  the  blazing  encomiums  of  army 
correspondents,  but  in  the  consciousness  of  having  done  our  duty; 
that  our  blows  have  been  sharp  and  decisive;  that  we  have  done 
our  work  at  the  right  time  and  in  the  right  way:  in  a  word,  that 
we  have  done  the  work  laid  out  for  us,  and  done  it  effectually; 
and,  depend  upon  it,  that  in  military  circles,  whence  praise  falls 
so  gratefully  upon  the  ear,  we  are,  and  we  shall  continue  to  be 
appreciated. 

This  regiment  is  both  my  joy  and  my  pride.  "  I  shall  continue 
to  give  to  it  my  constant  care;  and,  sure  of  your  cooperation  in  all 
that  shall  raise  it  to  the  highest  standard  of  excellence  and  effect 
iveness,  we  may  each  of  us  indulge  in  the  fond  belief  that,  in  after 
years,  we  shall  be  proud  to  say,  "  I  belonged  to  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry." 

I  am  happy  that  I  can  thank  Major  Farrington,  Captain  Man 
chester,  Lieutenants  Allen  and  Chase. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE,  Colonel  Commanding. 

The  Colonel  was  too  modest,  of  course,  to  allude  to  the 
cool,  heroic  part  acted  by  himself  in  the  encounter.  But 
the  regiment,  after  listening  to  the  order,  gave  him  three 
cheers  that  made  the  oak  forests  ring  again. 

We  would  here  record  a  touching  and  instructive  in 
cident,  illustrative  of  the  Divine  declaration,  "If  any 
man  lack,  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  who  giveth 
liberally  to  all  men,  and  upbraideth  not."  One  of  our 
battalions,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson,  had 
been  ordered,  on  a  very  dark  night,  to  make  a  reconnois- 
sance  to  the  enemy's  front,  through  forests  where  the 
paths  to  us  were  unknown;  our  guide  being  a  negro 
named  Ike,  raised  in  that  region,  now  one  of  our  servants. 


180  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

Pushing  into  the  forests  and  deep  darkness,  and  coming 
to  a  fork  in  the  road,  Ike  was  brought  into  doubt  as  to 
which  road  was  the  proper  one.  Dismounting  and  feel 
ing  in  vain  for  decisive  marks,  he  at  last  fell  upon  his 
knees  in  the  muddy  road  and  offered  this  child-like 
prayer:  "0,  Lord  Jesus,  Ps  lost;  Fs  forgot  de  right 
road.  Lord,  which  is  de  right  way?"  Springing  to  his 
feet,  he  said,  "Dis  is  de  right  way,"  and  mounting, 
guided  the  column  safely.  "  Guess  whether  all  eyes  were 
dry  after  that  prayer.  The  opposite  path  would  have 
thrown  us  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

November  16th.  At  an  early  hour  we  were  selected 
to  serve  as  skirmishers  and  flankers  on  the  extreme  right 
of  the  army,  now  moving  down  the  valley. 

November  17th.  We  bivouacked  at  night  near  Lib 
erty. 

November  18th.  We  moved  to  Rappahannock  Station, 
halting  from  ten  A.  M.  to  two  P.  M. ;  then  moved,  by 
Wheatley  Post-office,  to  Pineview  Post-office,  where,  at 
ten  P.  M.,  the  bugles  blew  "halt"  for  bivouac. 

November  19th.  Our  march  was  but  a  few  miles,  and 
an  effort  was  made,  of  necessity,  as  we  were  beyond 
trains,  to  obtain  forage. 

November  20th.  After  further  exertion  in  securing 
forage,  a  short  march  brought  us  to  Hartwood  Church, 
where  we  bivouacked  beneath  the  grateful  shelter  of  a 
dense  pine  forest.  Blessed  be  pines  when  men  have  no 
tents.  This  day  of  November  will  be  distinctly  remem 
bered  on  account  of  the  pouring  rain  of  the  afternoon 
and  night.  With  flimsy  shelters,  soaked  clothes  and 
blankets,  we  were  in  a  sad  and  depressing  plight;  still  all 
bore  the  lot  quite  cheerfully:  some  jocosely  remarking, 
"Rather  dusty,  this!"  "This  for  the  Union!"  Our 
gay-hearted  band,  electing  their  best  notes,  made  the 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  181 

forest  resound  with  music — a  balm  and  solace  to  over 
taxed  nerves.  After  serenading  the  Colonel,  the  band 
received  from  the  regiment  the  ringing  cheers  they  de 
served.  We  were  now  within  about  twelve  miles  of  Fred- 
ericksburg,  and  seemingly  unnumbered  forces  were  hov 
ering  down  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  though  not  as 
yet  in  sight  of  the  stream  or  city. 

November  22d.  From  our  cheerless  forest  bivouac, 
along  distressingly  muddy  roads,  we  found  our  way  to 
within  half  a  mile  of  Falmouth,  where,  at  sunset,  the 
bugles  spoke  the  "halt"  for  the  night. 

November  23d.  Moving  four  miles  down  the  river, 
we  encamped  in  a  handsome  pine  wood  by  the  side  of 
the  Fredericksburg  and  Acquia  Creek  Railroad,  at  a 
place  known  afterwards  by  the  army  as  "  Stoneman's 
Switch."  Here  we  remained  for  several  days  in  compara 
tive  quiet. 

November  27th.  Thanksgiving  Day — full  of  mem 
ories,  but  turkeyless  to  us. 

December  1st.  Aroused  by  the  call  of  all  calls — "the 
general " — and  prepared  to  move,  having  been  assigned  to 
General  AverilPs  brigade  of  General  Hooker's  centre 
grand  division,  we  again  changed  camp  to  near  Potomac 
Creek,  in  the  vicinity  of  AverilPs  headquarters,  and 
pitched  our  little  shelter  tents  and  what  canvas  we  could 
boast,  in  a  beautiful  forest  of  pine,  spruce,  and  hemlock. 
Generously  we  fed  our  camp  fires,  and  inhaled  sufficient 
smoke  if  we  did  not  realize  sufficient  heat.  Ah!  here 
again,  after  a  long  and  painful  interval,  we  were  blessed 
with  letters,  papers,  and  some  treasure-laden  boxes,  by 
mail  and  express  from  our  dear  homes.  Imagine  the 
eager  eyes,  the  throbbing  hearts,  and  the  grateful  utter 
ances  pervading  our  camp. 

Troops  I,  K,  L,  M  were  detached  to  act  as  guards, 
16 


182  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

scouts,  and  orderlies  for  the  various  generals  of  the  Third 
Corps  of  the  great  army.  Equipping  and  refitting  as 
best  we  could,  we  were  put  to  picket  duty  in  rain  and 
snow  and  severe  cold;  compelled  to  stand  on  outpost 
•duty,  in  our  turns,  for  three  successive  days  at  a  time — 
men  and  horses  suffering  what  pen  may  not  describe. 
Our  brigade  consisted  of  the  First  Massachusetts  Cav 
alry,  Third  and  Fourth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  our 
own  regiment.  The  attack  on  Fredericksburg-  was  un 
fortunately  delayed  by  the  non-arrival  of  the  promised 
ponton  bridges.  While  the  army  waited  for  their  coming, 
the  delay  put  the  advantage  of  action  into  Lee's  hands. 

December  10th.  Orders  came  to  be  ready  to  move  at 
a  moment's  notice,  with  three  days'  rations  in  haversacks, 
seven  in  company  wagons,  and  three  in  brigade  trains. 
At  midnight  came  orders  to  be  in  line  at  eight  in  the 
morning. 

December  llth.  At  five  and  a  half  A.  M.,  as  our 
reveille  sounded,  our  artillery  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
opened  on  the  enemy's  lines  on  the  opposite  shore,  and 
afforded  protection  to  our  forces  in  laying  the  pontons. 
The  "  dogs  of  war"  kept  up  their  hot  and  awful  baying 
while  our  army  pushed  across  the  bridges.  Two  days 
passed  before  all  things  were  ready  for  the  decisive  battle. 

December  13th.  The  awful  strokes  were  struck.  Des 
perate,  heroic  efforts  were  made  to  carry  the  fortified 
heights;  but  all  in  vain.  Lee,  forewarned,  had  braced 
himself  immovably. 

December  15th.  After  about  fourteen  thousand  had 
fallen  on  our  side,  and  five  thousand  on  the  side  of  the 
enemy,  our  forces  recrossed  the  river,  leaving  the  rebels 
masters  of  the  field:  a  fearfully  sad  affair,  but  not  the 
fault  of  General  Burnside.  Only  a  part  of  our  regiment 
was  engaged  in  the  battle:  two  troopsr  K  and  M,  as  es- 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  183 

corts  for  generals;  K  with  Generals  Stoneman  and  Bir- 
ney,  M  with  General  Sickles.  They  were  in  and  over  the 
whole  field,  sometimes  on  the  front  in  the  blaze  of  the 
action,  yet  they  had  but  two  horses  killed.  Captain  Man 
chester's  squadron,  Troops  A  and  D,  were  on  duty  at  an 
important  and  perilous  post  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river. 

On  the  eleventh,  the  entire  regiment  stood  ready  for 
orders,  one  mile  from  Falmouth,  opposite  the  city,  and 
there  spent  the  night.  The  next  day  (12th),  hearing  of 
rebel  raiders  in  our  rear,  most  of  the  command  was  or 
dered  to  dash  on  to  Dumfries  to  overhaul  the  guerrillas. 
With  utmost  speed,  over  hills,  creeks,  runs,  fields,  and 
valleys,  we  spurred  till  dark,  when  we  halted  only  for 
the  moon  to  lift  her  lamp,  and  then,  again  in  saddle,, 
dashed  on  to  Stafford  Court  House;  and  at  ten  o'clock 
A.  M.  next  day  (1,3th),  when  within  two  miles  of  Dum 
fries,  learned  that  the  "gray  backs"  had  fled,  and  at  the 
same  time  met  a  portion  of  Sigel's  command  pressing  on 
to  reinforce  General  Burnside. 

With  only  two  hours  of  rest,  we  turned  our  guidons 
and  spurred  back  to  the  Rappahannock,  stopping  on  the 
way  only  to  feed  our  horses  from  "  secesh "  haystacks 
and  to  catch  a  nap  in  our  old  bivouac,  reporting  finally 
to  our  brigade  headquarters  at  the  river  on  the  four 
teenth,  after  the  disastrous  battle  in  and  around  the  city. 

December  16th.  Returned  to  our  camp  near  Potomac 
Creek.  The  battle  of  Fredericksburg  cannot  be  forgot 
ten.  The  thunder  of  guns,  the  roar  of  mortars,  the 
screech  of  shells,  the  rattle  of  infantry  volleys,  the  yell 
of  charges,  the  whistling  of  bullets,  the  rush  of  troops, 
the  clouds  of  smoke, — all  these  live  distinctly,  fearfully, 
in  the  memory.  Speak  not  to  soldiers  of  thrilling  scenes: 
they  have  been  burned  into  our  minds  and  well-nigh 
branded  upon  our  bones. 


184  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

CAMP     NEAR    POTOMAC    CREEK. 
DECEMBER,  1862— JANUARY,  1863. 

the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  (December 
13th)  Samuel  Salisbury  (Troop  A)  died  of  typhoid 
fever  in  the  brigade  hospital. 

On  the  sixteenth,  Dr.  W.  H.  Wilbur  and  Colonel  T. 
Burgess  reached  our  camp:  the  former  to  fill  the  place 
of  Surgeon  Greeley;  the  latter  to  cheer  us  with  his  pres 
ence  and  present  to  us  a  new  and  beautiful  standard,  the 
tasteful  and  costly  gift  of  the  generous  and  patriotic 
ladies  of  Providence,  R.  I. 

December  19th."  The  ceremony  of  receiving  the  new 
standard  was  as  follows:  After  dress  parade,  conducted 
as  usual  in  the  open  field  on  the  north  of  the  camp,  the 
regiment  was  formed  in  a  hollow  square,  the  centre  oc 
cupied  by  the  Colonel  and  his  staff.  Colonel  Burgess 
then  made  his  appearance  from  the  forest,  bearing  the 
present,  and,  advancing  within  the  handsome  sabred 
>(|ii;ire,  addressed  our  commander  and  our  command  in 
fitting  phrase  of  respect  and  compliment,  and  read  to  us 
the  accompanying  letter: 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  185 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  > 
PROVIDENCE,  R.  I.,  December  5,  1862.      j 

Colonel: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  from 
you  of  the  old  flag  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry.  You  are 
the  representative  of  the  men  alike  from  New  Hampshire  and 
Rhode  Island,  who  compose  your  command.  Allow  me  to  say  to 
you  and  to  them,  that  the  memories  of  your  valor  and  the  stories. 
of  your  deeds  will  endure  through  this  and  coming  generations. 
As  the  recipient  of  this  sacred  relic,  borne  so  proudly  and  heroic 
ally  through  many  trials,  in  camp  and  upon  the  field  of  battle,  let 
me  thank  the  men  of  New  Hampshire  and  Rhode  Island  for  the- 
entire  discharge  of  their  duty  to  their  country,  to  their  States,. 
and  to  themselves. 

The  ladies  of  Providence,  emulating  the  chivalrous  spirit  and 
acts  of  their  sisters  of  old,  give  to  the  victors  the  crown  which 
accompanies  this, — emblem  of  your  States  and  nation. 

Guard  it;  honor  it  as  nobly  as  you  have  guarded  and  honored 
the  torn  and  tattered  relic  you  have  sent  me.  The  ladies,  who 
present  this  new  flag  to  you,  ask  this  of  you,  and  they  can  ask 
nothing  more.  Remember,  when  you  strike,  that  you  strike  in 
their  defense;  that  it  is  for  wives,  for  children,  for  a  country,  and 
the  dearest  privileges  of  mankind. 

That  God  may  preserve  and  honor  you,  and  reward  you  for 
every  soldierly  deed,  is  the  oft-repeated  prayer  of  one  who  watches 
your  career  with  the  deepest  pride. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  SPRAGUE, 
Governor  State  of  Rhode  Island. 
To  Colonel  A.  X.  DUFFIE, 

Commanding  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 

Colonel  Burgess  then  gracefully  and  tenderly  presented 
the  colors,  and  Colonel  Duffie  appropriately  responded, 
and  presented  the  subjoined  paper: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  ) 
NEAR  FALMOUTH,  Ya.,  December  19,  1862.      j 
To  His  Excellency,  Governor  Sprague,  of  Rhode  Inland: 
Sir: — It  is  with  deep  emotion,  and  with  sentiments  of  grateful 
16* 


ISO  SABRES  AND  SPURS.        '    [December, 

pride,  that  I  receive  from  your  hands  this  beautiful  emblem  of 
our  common  country,  the  United  States  of  America,  At  the  same 
time  citizens  and  soldiers,  accustomed  from  childhood  to  love  and 
cherish  the  Stars  and  Stripes;  as  soldiers  urged  by  every  manly 
impulse,  by  everything  we  hold  near  and  dear,  by  our  bounden 
duty  to  God  and  man, — we  are  here  to  uphold  that  flag  against 
all  comers,  in  whatever  form  or  guise  its  enemies  may  appear, 
whether  by  the  insidious  approach  of  political  strategy  or  the 
open  enmity  of  armed  legions. 

Rhode  Island  and  New  Hampshire,  in  common  sisterhood, 
pledge  their  sons  as  its  guard  of  honor;  and  trust  me,  sir,  while 
it  is  in  their  keeping  it  shall  suffer  no  wrong;  for  I  have  known 
them  well  on  many  a  hotly  contested  field. 

For  the  kindly  sentiments  so  gracefully  conveyed  by  yourself, 
I  thank  you.  I  trust  that,  though  unable  to  express  myself  as 
happily,  I  still  fully  appreciate  the  time  and  occasion. 

For  myself  and  my  command,  I  accept  the  high  trust  reposed 
in  this  presentation;  and,  with  life  and  honor,  we  promise  to  be 
its  faithful,  and,  we  hope,  worthy  defenders. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

A.  N.  DUFFIE, 
Colonel  Commanding  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  addresses,  the  brave  cavaliers 
gave  three  round  and  rousing  cheers  for  the  new  flag, 
and  as  many,  with  peculiar  zest,  for  the  fair  donors.  The 
standard  was  then  given  into  the  hands  of  Troop  I— the 
color  troop — by  whom,  preceded  by  the  band  playing 
their  most  inspiring  national  airs,  it  was  borne  to  the 
headquarters  of  the  command. 

These  colors  were  of  regulation  size,  dark  blue  silk, 
trimmed  with  a  heavy  yellow  fringe — cavalry  color — and 
bore,  on  one  side,  the  coat  of  arms  of  Ehode  Island,  and 
on  the  other  the  coat  of  arms  of  New  Hampshire,  both 
richly  wrought  in  silk. 

We  had  a  custom  in  our  regiment,  which,  so  far  as  we 
know,  was  never  observed  in  this  country  till  introduced 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  1ST 

into  our  command.  Colonel  Duffie  brought  it  from  the 
European  service,  particularly  from  the  cavalry  arm  of 
his  native  country.  We  refer  to  the  ceremony  of  receiv 
ing  our  standard  to  the  centre  of  the  column  whenever 
we  came  into  line  for  a  regular  march  or  into  line  of 
battle.  It  was  after  this  manner: 

The  troops  were  drawn  out  in  line,  with  the  regimental 
band  at  the  head,  all  facing  to  the  left,  the  officers  in 
front  of  their  battalions  and  troops,  the  staff  on  the  right 
of  the  line,  the  Colonel  in  front  of  all,  opposite  the  color 
company,  in  the  centre  of  the  line.  All  being  in  readi 
ness,  the  color  guard,  a  portion  of  the  color  company,  in 
the  centre  of  their  troop  (I,  with  us),  fell  back,  and, 
passing  around  by  the  left  to  the  headquarters,  took  the 
standard  and  returned  near  their  place  in  the  line;  halt 
ing  a  few  steps  from  the  line,  they  dressed  carefully,  and 
then  handsomely  advanced  into  line,  where,  on  halting, 
the  color-sergeant  gracefully  waved  the  flag  in  salutation 
to  the  commander  and  the  field  and  line  officers,  while 
the  whole  column  presented  arms.  At  the  same  instant, 
the  Colonel  and  all  the  officers,  with  raised  caps  returned 
the  salutation,  and  the  full  band  struck  and  played  a 
most  thrilling  salutatory  strain. 

So  beautifully,  gracefully,  solemnly,  grandly  was  this 
always  done,  that  it  made  every  heart  throb  and  every 
eye  moist,  though  performed  for  the  hundredth  time. 
And  all  who  ever  witnessed  this  ceremony  of  ours  were 
charmed  and  thrilled  by  it.  Herein,  by  the  way,  was 
one  of  the  many  secrets  of  the  spirit,  unity,  zeal,  and  in 
domitable  devotion  of  our  command  in  the  trying  hours 
of  battle.  Our  flag  was  to  us  sacred — the  emblem  of 
deepest  thoughts  and  grandest  principles,  the  symbol  of 
ideas  unutterable  and  inviolate.  Around  it,  beneath  it, 
for  it,  we  rallied,  and  stood,  and  fought  with  an  uncon- 


188  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 

qnerable  will.  Alluding  to  the  want  of  this  or  a  simi 
lar  ceremony  in  other  commands,  Colonel  Duffie  often 
said,  "You  Americans  do  not  know  how  to  use  your 
flag." 

Colonel  Duffie  believed  in  the- power  and  charm  of 
symbols.  On  Christmas  Day  a  lofty  flag-staff  was  raised 
in  front  of  the  headquarters,  and,  with  due  ceremony, 
the  large  camp  guidon — the  old  standard  of  Camp  Ar 
nold — red  arid  white,  bearing  our  Christian  name — "New 
England  Cavalry  " — the  pledge  of  our  hearts,  was  flung 
to  the  breeze  of  Virginia,  in  the  face  of  our  country's 
foe.  As  it  was  run  up  and  opened  to  the  wind,  our  full 
and  spirited  band  gave  it  appropriate  salute  and  dis 
coursed  their  best  airs.  In  the  evening  a  select  choir  of 
our  cavalier  singers  gave  an  excellent  concert  of  both 
vocal  and  instrumental  music  in  front  of  the  head 
quarters,  complimentary  to  the  commantler  and  his  staff. 
We  only  missed  the  comforts,  gifts,  and  "Merry  Christ 
mas  "  salutations  of  our  New  England  homes. 

Our  camp  was  on  the  eastern  slope  of  a  beautiful  pine- 
clad  hill,  on  the  south  side  of  the  railroad  and  Potomac 
Creek,  about  a  third  of  a  mile  from  Potomac  Creek 
Depot,  commanding  a  charming  view  of  the  valley  run 
ning  easterly,  and  looking  out  afar  upon  the  waters  of 
Belle  Plain  Creek.  General  Burnside's  headquarters 
were  a  little  beyond  us,  in  view  of  the  Rappahannock. 
We  were  in  Averill's  brigade  of  cavalry,  and  counted  by 
him  and  all  the  generals  as  a  superior  regiment;  Colonel 
Duffie,  for  a  time,  acting  as  Brigadier-General. 

Nor  was  there  3,  neater  or  more  tasteful  camp  than 
ours:  wall  tents  for  most  of  the  officers;  for  the  rank  and 
file,  shelter  tents  or  log  huts,  protected  by  boards  and 
earth;  some  quarters  under-built  with  logs  or  excavated 
in  the  hill-sides.  Sheds  of  pine  boughs  screened  our 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  189 

horses  and  supplies.  Of  the  particular  living  of  the  men 
we  will  let  Sargent  speak: 

"Our  huts,  12  by  15,  for  four  men  each,  were  of  logs- 
notched  together  and  filled  with  mud;  roofs  of  small 
poles  covered  with  shelter  tents  or  sods,  and  steep  enough 
to  turn  all  rains;  fire-place  in  one  end,  chimney  outside, 
of  stones  topped  by  a  barrel;  inside,  two  bunks  for  two 
men  each,  poles  covered  with  hay;  door  made  of  hard 
tack  boxes,  hinges  of  old  boot  legs,  latch  string  out,  with 
cake  of  hard-tack  for  handle.  Stock  of  furniture  small 
at  first;  ditto  of  cooking  utensils;  increased  by  Yankee 
ingenuity  from  foraging  tact  and  sutler's  booth;  fingers 
taking  precedence  of  forks.  Took  turns  cooking;  had 
dishes  not  found  in  the  cook  books:  fried  pork — boiled 
pork — broiled  pork  (on  a  stick) — hard-tack — fried  whole, 
broken  up,  soaked  in  water,  pounded  fine,  made  into 
new  forms,  shape  of  doughnuts — pork  and  hard-tack  a 
la  fricasse.  Camp  being  established,  rations  were  better: 
soft  bread  and  fresh  beef  two  or  three  times  a  week;  but 
such  beef  !  animals  had  travelled  Virginia  roads  from 
the  opening  of  the  war  and  been  fatted  on  hard-tack." 

Our  chief  bugler,  who  was  also  leader  of  our  band, 
having  left  us,  his  place  as  band  leader  was  supplied  by  a 
superior  bugler,  William  R.  Kay,  from  Westerly,  R.  I. 

December  24th.     D.  Pettee  (Troop  D)  died  in  hospital. 

December  30th.  A  portion  of  the  regiment  started  on 
a  reconnoissance  and  proceeded  to  Hartwood  Church, 
where  they  remained  for  several  days  awaiting  an  ex 
pected  attack  on  our  picket  line  by  Stuart's  cavalry. 

1863.  January  1st.  The  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  settling  into  winter  quarters.  Only  raids  were  to  be 
expected.  With  very  changeable  weather,  rain  and  snow 
making  the  roads  knee  deep  with  mud,  hence  impassable 
for  troops  and  wagon  trains,  unless  corduroyed,  only 


190  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [January, 

picket  and  reconnoissance  remained  for  us.  The  sub 
joined  figures  show  the  strength  of  the  regiment  at  the 
opening  of  the  new  year:  Present  for  duty,  556;  extra 
or  daily  duty,  78;  sick,  37:  total,  671;  absent  on  detached 
service  and  with  leave,  62;  sick,  113:  total,  175;  aggre 
gate,  present  and  absent,  846. 

January  1,  1863,  was  made  historic,  to  the  joy  of  the 
army  and  all  the  loyal  in  the  land,  by  President  Lincoln's 
Proclamation  of  Emancipation — the  God-chosen  war 
spear  that  unjoin  ted  the  war  harness  of  the  Confed 
erates.  From  that  day  the  tide  of  battle  rolled  mightily 
in  favor  of  the  Union  forces,  though  occasional  eddies  of 
disaster  occurred  in  some  quarters.  The  question  of 
impartial  liberty  was  the  determining  principle  of  the 
gigantic  national  struggle. 

January  8th.  Corporal  J.  Murphy  (Troop  E)  was 
captured  on  picket.  On  the  same  day,  Peter  Laveren 
(Troop  D)  died  of  pneumonia.  His  funeral  was  on  the 
tenth,  with  impressive  solemnities,  and  his  remains  were 
buried  under  a  lofty  pine,  green  as  his  memory. 

Gifts  from  home,  procured  by  the  Chaplain,  were 
timely  and  valuable:  socks,  stockings,  knit  caps,  mittens, 
comforters,  hymn  books,  Testaments,  and  papers.  On 
account  of  impaired  health  from  the  severities  of  the 
service  in  Virginia,  the  Chaplain  accepted  Governor 
Sprague's  proposition  of  a  transfer  into  the  Department 
of  the  South,  to  the  Third  Rhode  Island  Heavy  Artil 
lery,  in  South  Carolina.  About  the  same  time,  Captain 
Manchester  accepted  a  promotion  to  the  rank  of  Major 
in  the  Second  Regiment  of  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  com 
manded  by  our  able  and  beloved  former  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Sayles.  On  the  departure  of  the  Chaplain,  the 
post  fund  was  turned  over  to  Major  Farrington,  and  the 
duties  of  postmaster  and  general  correspondent  were 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  191 

assigned  to  J.  A.  Cbedell  (afterwards  Lieutenant  Che- 
dell). 

The  presents  received  by  the  regiment  called  from  the 
Colonel  a  characteristic  paper  that  we  here  reproduce: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  j 
NEAR  FALMOUTH,  Va.,  January  10,  1863.       j" 
Editors  of  tfie  Press : 

To  the  ladies  of  Rhode  Island  who  have  so  kindly  sent  the  very 
best  of  presents  possible  to  the  regiment,  which  it  is  at  once  my 
pride  and  pleasure  to  command,  allow  me,  sirs,  through  your  col 
umns,  to  say,  I  thank  you.  Nothing  could  have  been  so  full  of 
real  and  lasting  value  as  the  woolen  gloves,  contributed  on  the 
moment  at  the  mere  suggestion  of  our  most  worthy  and  excellent 
Chaplain,  Rev.  Frederic  Denison.  Nestling  themselves  away  on 
little  slips  of  paper,  in  the  fingers  of  the  gloves,  unobtrusive  as 
woman's  love,  quiet  as  her  affection,  real  as  her  sympathy,  we 
find  these  sentiments:  "  To  the  future  possessor  of  these  gloves, 
much  love";  Nelly  sends,  "  kindly  greetings  ";  Jenny  says,  "be 
of  good  cheer";  Alice  "  hopes  these  gloves  will  keep  your  fingers 
as  warm  as  your  heart  is  in  the  good  cause";  Lucy  says,  "be 
merciful";  Mary  says,  "be  good,  and  God  bless  you";  Sally 
says,  "  let  these  gloves  hold  the  reins  of  no  coward's  horse." 

Sirs,  my  men  are  wild  with  joy,  cheered  by  the  smiles  which 
give  their  roseate  hue  to  the  more  substantial  gift.  They  ,will  do 
and  dare  what  men  may  do  or  dare ;  and  be  assured,  sirs,  that  the 
fair  daughters  of  Rhode  Island  and  New  Hampshire  shall  never 
have  cause  to  blush  for  their  sons  in  the  field. 

A.  N.  DUFFLE. 

January  15th.  The  command  was  reviewed  by  Gen 
eral  Averill,  who,  at  the  conclusion,  said,  "This  is  the 
best  regiment  in  my  brigade." 

The  proficiency  of  the  command  in  all  duties  again 
prompted  the  Colonel  to  issue  a  special  communication: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,         ) 
CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  Va.,  January  16,  1863.  J 

[SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  23.] 
Fellow-Soldiers: — Again  it  is  my  proud  privilege  to  congratu- 


192  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [January, 

late  you  upon  your  admirable  appearance,  drill  and  discipline,  as 
a  regiment.  It  has  been  granted  me  before,  in  all  truth,  to  ap 
plaud  the  efforts  you  have  made  to  become  the  first  among  the 
cavalry  in  the  service. 

General  Roberts,  Chief  of  Cavalry  on  General  Pope's  staff,  on 
the  18th  of  last  August,  said:  "  While  I  have  no  hesitancy  in  say 
ing  yours  is  the  best  regiment  I  have  inspected  so  far,  there  is  still 
much  to  be  done."  Since  that  time,  unqualified  praise  from  high 
military  sources  has  been  repeatedly  accorded  to  you;  and  now, 
to  crown  the  whole,  our  most  distinguished,  most  esteemed  gen 
eral,  commanding  this  brigade,  after  the  inspection  of  the  15th 
instant,  says,  "It  is  the  best  regiment  in  my  brigade." 

Sharing  equally  alike  the  glorious  possession  of  such  a  prestige, 
we  must  all  see  to  it,  with  jealous  care,  that  we  hold  the  position 
assigned  us  against  all  comers. 

Let  no  mark  or  blot  mar  the  fair  page;  and  I  hope  soon,  across 
the  river  which  intercepts  us  from  our  foe,  you  will  finish  your 
brilliant  achievements. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE, 
Colonel  Commanding  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 

The  men  responded  with  loud  and  hearty  cheers. 

January  15th-23d.  We  were  in  readiness  to  move  at 
a  moment's  warning;  but,  on  account  of  storms  and 
muddy  roads,  the  general  movements  of  the  army  were 
abandoned. 

January  20th.  Richard  E.  King  (Troop  II )  died  in 
hospital  in  Washington. 

January  24th.  A.  L.  Wilson  (Troop  L),  having  died 
of  typhoid  fever,  was  buried  with  military  honors. 

January  28th.  Major  Burt,  our  Paymaster,  paid  us 
from  July  1,  1862,  to  January  .1,  1863,  a  period  of  six 
months:  a  happy  day  for  us,  for  the  sutlers,  and  for  our 
families  in  New  England. 

Several  recruits  had  been  received, — procured  in  some 
measure  by  bounties — and  since  they  had  joined  us  some 
of  our  old  soldiers  had  missed  their  pistols.  Our  Colonel 
was  satisfied  that  the  pistols  had  been  stolen  by  some  of 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  193 

the  recruits  and  sold  to  infantry  men  near  us.  Hence, 
at  dress  parade,  he  thus  addressed  the  regiment:  "  Some 
new  recruit  go  steal  from  his  comrade!  He  takes  one 
pistol !  He  go  sell  to  one  infantry  man!  Ah!  He  think 
no  one  see  him!  Ah!  God  see  him!  God  give  you 
hell ! "  No  more  pistols  were  missed. 

While  the  regiment  thus  lay  in  winter  quarters,  en 
gaged  only  in  scout  and  picket,  Colonel  Duffie,  by  invita 
tion,  made  a  visit  north,  especially  to  Providence,  R.  I., 
where  he  was  welcomed  with  great  enthusiasm  by  the 
city  and  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  then  in  session. 
His  full-length  portrait,  with  uniform  and  decorations, 
soon  graced  an  art  gallery  on  Westminster  street.  He 
left  the  camp  to  the  care  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thomp 
son  January  30th,  but  returned  February  13th. 


17 


104  SABKES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

CORPORAL    BROWN'S    CAPTIVITY. 

/ 

AUGUST— SEPTEMBER,  1862. 

JUST  record  of  the  services  of  our  regiment  should 
embrace  some  chapters  of  the  experiences  of  our 
men  while  prisoners  of  war.  These  narratives,  more 
over,  will  give  us  some  desired  information  relative  to  the 
inner  life  of  the  Confederacy  and  the  spirit  of  the  war  on 
the  part  of  the  South. 

In  the  order  of  our  history  we  stated  that  on  the  20th 
of  August,  1862,  CorporalJ.  Brown  and  four  others  were 
detailed  as  guards  to  General  Sigel's  scouts  on  the  upper 
banks  of  the  Rappahannock,  and  while  examining  the 
fords  and  scouting  along  the  enemy's  lines  on  the  after 
noon  of  August  21st,  were  surprised,  pursued,  and  cap 
tured  by  a  force  of  rebel  cavalry,  as  their  horses  had  been 
under  the  saddle  for  two  days,  with  but  little  to  eat,  and 
were  unable  to  escape  the  fresh  pursuers. 

Corporal  Brown  tells  the  following  story  of  the  cap 
ture,  and  the  experiences  of  the  squad  while  prisoners : 

Edward  Myers  received  a  gash  over  the  eye  from  the 
fall  of  his  horse.  James  Williams'  horse  gave  out  from 
exhaustion.  The  Corporal  turned  in  his  saddle  and  tried 


1862.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  195 

upon  his  pursuers  the  virtue  of  his  revolver,  and  was 
finally  brought  to  a  halt  only  because  his  horse  received 
a  wound  in  the  head.  He  threw  his  pistol  into  a  mud- 
hole,  and  surrendered  simply  his  sabre.  One  of  his  cap 
tors  said,  "Kill  the  damned  Yank."  Brown  replied, 
"I  had  rather  be  shot  than  go  to  Richmond  and  be 
starved  to  death."  An  officer  answered,  "The  Yank  is 
good  grit;  we  will  let  him  see  Richmond." 

They  were  at  once  marched  across  the  river,  and,  with 
out  being  allowed  to  empty  the  water  out  of  their  boots, 
pushed  forward  on  the  dusty  road  twelve  miles  to  Stevens^ 
burg.  All  they  received  for  the  night  was  a  little  water. 

August  22d.  They  were  marched  about  thirty  miles 
to  the  line  of  the  railroad,  and  put  into  an  old  depot, 
where  utter  exhaustion  insured  a  little  feverish  sleep. 

Says  the  Corporal,  "  On  our  way  the  guard  would  go 
to  the  houses  on  the  road  and  get  their  haversacks  filled 
with  bread  and  meat,  and  then  come  along  showing  their 
food  and  asking  us  if  we  did  not  want  some.  It  was 
hard  to  endure  this.  Some  cried,  and  asked  for  a  mouth 
ful.  The  reply  was,  'No;  you  can  live  sometime  yet 
without  food."1 

From  Orange  Court  House  they  were  taken  in  cars  to 
Richmond  and  put  into  Libby  Prison.  Of  the  guard  the 
Corporal  says,  "I  cannot  call  them  men.  They  were 
dressed  in  citizens'  clothes,  and  had  several  kinds  of 
guns — shot  guns,  old  flint-locks,  and  such  like.  Before 
going  into  prison  we  were  searched.  They  even  took 
Myers'  pocket-knife.  That  night  they  gave  us  a  quarter 
of  a  loaf  of  bread — loaves  much  smaller  than  our  army 
loaves — and  a  small  piece  of  meat. 

"In  a  few  days  we  were  sent  over  to  Belle  Island, 
where  we  met  several  thousand  of  our  comrades,  and 
where  we  were  told  we  had  received  our  death-warrant, 


196  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

for  they  would  starve  us  to  death.  Here  we  had  half  a 
loaf  of  bread  a  day,  and  a  small  piece  of  meat  twice  a 
week,  and  sometimes  pea  soup — enough  to  kill  one  if  he 
ate  much — fresh,  and  of  a  strange  kind  of  peas  and  river 
water — water  of  a  yellowish  hue.  Six  or  eight  died  on 
the  island  every  day.  For  more  than  a  week  we  laid  out 
on  the  ground  with  nothing  to  cover  us  but  God's  starry 
blanket.  Almost  always  the  guards  were  laughing  at 
and  taunting  us.  The  vermin  were  so  plenty  that  the 
boys  said  they  had  regimental  drills.  I  was  fairly  sore 
all  over  where  they  had  eaten  into  me." 

These  men  were  paroled  on  the  fourteenth  of  Septem 
ber,  and  on  the  following  day  were  marched  twelve  miles 
to  Aiken's  Landing,  where  they  were  received  by  the 
Federal  authorities.  The  Corporal  remarks,  "Although 
we  were  nearly  starved,  we  marched  at  almost  double- 
quick,  and,  when  arriving  in  sight  of  the  flag  of  truce,  we 
all  started  at  utmost  speed,  and,  I  will  own,  acted  more 
like  crazy  men  than  we  did  like  soldiers." 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  197 


CHAPTER    XXIV.      -. 

OUTPOST    SERVICE    AND     BATTLE. 
FEBRUARY— MARCH,  1863. 

.HOUGH  in  winter  quarters,  there  was  no  real  rest 
for  our  army.  In  front  of  a  great,  vigilant,  reso 
lute  foe,  life  was  secure  only  by  ceaseless  watchfulness 
and  the  repelling  of  occasional  attacks.  In  the  absence 
of  Colonel  Duffie,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  wisely 
administered  our  affairs  and  kept  his  eagle  eye  always  on 
the  front. 

February  4th.  We  had  orders  to  "be  ready,  with  all 
available  men,  in  light  marching  order,  with  three  days' 
cooked  rations,  to  move  the  next  morning." 

February  5th.  Says  Lieutenant  Chedell:  "Early  our 
brigade,  with  its  battery  of  flying  artillery,  and  General 
Carr's  division  of  infantry  and  two  batteries  of  light 
artillery,  started  on  an  expedition,  under  General  Carr, 
to  destroy  the  railroad  bridge  crossing  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  at  Rappahannock  Station,  by  which  the  enemy 
could  hurry  over  his  forces,  should  he  \vish  at  any  time 
to  mass  his  forces  north  of  the  river.  The  morning  was 
cold,  the  snow  falling  thick  and  fast,  the  wind  sharp 
and  cutting;  in  afternoon,  snow  changed  to  sleet;  bivou 
acking  at  night,  we  suffered  from  ice  and  rain. 
17* 


198  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

February  6th.  "Moving  on  through  rain,  at  Deep 
Run  we  left  the  infantry,  save  one  brigade  as  a  reserve, 
and  reached  Grove  Church,  from  which  point  a  part  of 
the  cavalry  and  flying  artillery  dashed  on  to  do  the  work 
of  destroying  the  bridge,  while  the  remaining  forces 
should  watch  the  fords  below.  Though  under  a  hot  fire 
from  the  rebels  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  the  bridge 
was  burned  with  the  loss  of  only  one  killed  and  a  num 
ber  wounded.  The  rebels  lost  the  most  blood.  The 
bridge  in  ashes,  as  also  a  small  one  east  of  it,  and  the 
railroad  track  torn  up  for  a  "distance,  our  force  fell  back, 
and  reached  the  old  camps  on  the  evening  of  the  seventh, 
weary  and  worn." 

General  Hooker  succeeded  General  Burnside  in  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on  the  twenty- 
sixth  of  January,  and  knew  our  regiment  by  experience, 
and  our  men  reciprocated  the  high  esteem  in  which  they 
were  held.  Of  course  our  caps  went  up  for  "Fighting 
Joe,"  though  we  regretted  the  absence  of  our  beloved 
Burnside.  The  cavalry  forces  were  consolidated  into  a 
corps  of  three  divisions,  under  General  Stoneman,  by 
whom  we  were  well  known,  having  served  with  him  in 
the  late  campaigns.  The  division  commanders  were 
Pleasanton,  Averill,  and  Gregg.  The  extreme  front  of 
outpost  duty  devolved  of  course  upon  the  cavalry  arm. 
This  duty  is  thus  described  by  Lieutenant  Chedell: 

"  Our  line  of  pickets  extends  from  Acquia  Creek  to  the 
north  fork  of  the  Rappahannock — a  distance  of  about 
twenty  miles.  We  are  supported  in  the  rear,  the  whole 
distance,  by  infantry.  The  cavalry  pickets  are  changed 
every  three  days,  allowing  half  a  day  for  going  out  and 
the  same  for  returning,  making  four  days  out. 

"Each  brigade  is  ordered  to  guard  a  given  section  of 
the  line,  to  do  which,  proportional  details  are  made  from 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  199 

the  different  regiments.  The  pickets  are  divided  into 
small  bodies  for  reliefs  and  reserves,  and  have  the  reserve 
headquarters  in  deep  wooded  hollows  or  other  concealed 
places,  where  fires  are  allowed,  the  men  remaining  dis 
mounted,  with  the  privilege  of  keeping  themselves  as 
comfortable  as  possible,  but  always  keeping  themselves 
girded  for  an  attack.  The  horses  are  kept  saddled  and 
bridled,  hitched  to  the  nearest  trees,  that  the  men  may 
instantly  spring  to  the  defensive  should  the  men  on  their 
posts  give  an  alarm,  or  be  driven  in. 

"  The  posts  are  relieved  every  two  hours.  The  men 
on  post  always  remain  in  their  saddles,  their  horses'  heads 
in  the  direction  of  the  enemy.  Their  instructions  are  to 
be  vigilant,  to  keep  their  revolvers  or  carbines  always  in 
hand,  prepared  to  fire  instantly  should  it  be  required. 
When  any  one  approaches,  they  command,  '  Halt!  Who 
comes  there?'  If  answered,  ' Friends!'  the  command  is 
given,  '  Advance  one!  and  give  the  countersign.'  Should 
more  than  one  attempt  to  advance,  the  picket  fires,  thus 
giving  the  alarm.  If  it  is  in  the  night,  and  those  ap 
proaching  are  mounted,  the  command  is,  '  Dismount, 
and  advance  one!'  etc.,  never  allowing  but  one  to  ap 
proach,  either  by  day  or  by  night,  unless  accompanied 
by  the  corporal  of  the  relief. 

"The  officers  of  the  pickets  visit  their  line  of  posts 
frequently  by  day  and  by  night,  for  the  purpose  of  in 
specting  and  encouraging  the  pickets,  and  satisfying 
themselves  that  all  is  right.  A  corporal's  relief,  or 
patrol,  passes  up  and  down  the  line  every  hour.  Every 
thing  is  so  systematically  arranged  that,  in  case  of  an 
attack,  we  could  give  the  rebels  a  warm  reception,  hold 
ing  any  force  at  bay  until  we  could  be  reinforced  from 
the  main  army.  To  use  the  words  of  General  Duryea, 
in  an  address  to  his  brigade,  in  the  summer  of  1862 — 


200  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

'  Our  pickets  are  the  eyes  of  the  army.'  If  they  sleep, 
or  are  negligent  of  duty,  the  whole  army  is  in  danger. 
The  neglect  of  a  single  duty  on  picket  is  liable  to  the 
severest  punishment.  The  officers  in  command  of  the 
pickets  hold  most  important  and  responsible  positions, 
having,  as  it  were,  the  keys  to  the  gates  which  separate 
the  two  contending  armies." 

February  22(1.  A  foot  of  snow  on  the  ground,  and  a 
blinding  storm  through  most  of  the  day,  yet  at  noon  a 
national  salute,  in  honor  of  General  Washington,  was 
pronounced  by  our  artillery.  Evenings  are  variously 
passed  in  camp.  One  of  our  glee  clubs,  procuring  songs, 
became  very  proficient  in  cheerful  music.  Sometimes, 
at  the  close  of  their  performances,  the  hat  was  passed  to 
raise  funds  for  new  songs,  or,  to  vary  the  appeal  humor 
ously,  "to  be  applied  to  the  support  of  broken-down 
politicians  and  widows  of  deceased  quartermasters,  since 
such  persons  were  always  honest,  and  therefore  poor." 

February  25th.  We  were  startled  by  the  sounding  of 
"Boots  and  Saddles,"  and  learned  that  the  pickets  had 
been  driven  in  and  the  whole  line  threatened  by  Stuart's 
cavalry.  In  line  as  quickly  as  possible,  the  brigade  pro 
ceeded  to  Hartwood  Church.  The  circumstances  of  the 
sudden  and  heavy  attack  were  substantially  as  follows: 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  had  just  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  picket  line.  The  pickets  that  had  been 
relieved  had  not  returned  to  camp.  So  Stuart  found, 
unexpectedly,  double  the  ordinary  number  of  Federal 
sabres  confronting  him;  a  circumstance  that  saved  us 
from  a  fearful  loss,  though  our  loss  at  last  was  not  light 
in  prisoners.  By  our  commander's  cool  and  brave  con 
duct,  Stuart  was  finally  foiled  and  turned  back,  leaving 
some  dead  for  us  to  bury  and  some  prisoners  to  care  for, 
as  an  offset  for  our  captured  men. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  201 

We  condense  the  record  of  the  encounter  from  the 
narratives  of  Captains  E.  E.  Chase  and  George  N.  Bliss, 
hoth  prominent  actors  in  the  conflict. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson,  with  six  hundred  men 
—two  hundred  from  the  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania,  and 
one  hundred  from  each  of  the  following:  Third  and 
Fourth  Pennsylvania,  Fourth  Xew  York  and  First  Rhode 
Island— of  Averill's  cavalry  brigade,  was  near  Hartwood 
Church  relieving  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jones  (of  Third 
Pennsylvania)  and  his  like  body  of  men  on  picket.  He 
reached  the  grand  reserve  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
his  details  were  being  told  off  for  the  several  small  re 
serves,  the  men  remaining  mounted,  when  rapid  firing 
was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Hartwood  Church,  about 
one  mile  in  front  of  the  reserve.  Shortly  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Jones  returned  from  the  front  and  reported  that, 
his  line  of  videttes  had  been  attacked  and  driven  in,  and 
-that  the  enemy  in  large  force  were  coming  down  towards 
us,  on  both  roads  leading  from  Hartwood  to  Falmouth— 
the  Ridge  and  Telegraph  roads — on  the  former  of  which 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  was  then  resting. 

^Immediately  the  squadron  of  the  Third  Pennsylvania 
was  ordered  forward  to  the  assistance  of  Lieutenant-Col 
onel  Jones  on  the  Ridge  road,  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Thompson,  who,  with  the  remaining  squadrons,  moved 
due  west,  through  a  by-road,  about  half  a  mile  to  tlie 
Telegraph  road,  where  he  rapidly  formed  in  line,  in  the 
following  order:  First  Rhode  Island  on  the  right,  Fourth 
Pennsylvania,  Fourth  New  York  and  Sixteenth  Penn 
sylvania  on  the  left,  resting  on  the  Telegraph  road,  and 
awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy. 

Scarcely  had  the  squadrons  been  aligned  when  the  reb 
els  were  heard  charging,  with  loud  yells,  down  the  Ridge 
road,  going  in  the  direction  of  Falmouth.  Lieutenant- 


202  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

Colonel  Jones  had  been  unable  to  check  them,  and  was 
being  driven  back  on  the  infantry  pickets.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Thompson,  seeing  his  rear  threatened,  directed 
Captain  Chase  to  move  rapidly  to  the  rear,  with  his  own 
and  the  squadron  of  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania,  to  a  point 
opposite  where  the  righting  was  going  on  between  the 
rebels  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jones,  and  to  attack  the 
enemy  in  the  flank. 

The  two  squadrons  had  wheeled  by  platoons  into  col 
umn,  and  were  advancing  at  a  trot  in  the  direction 
ordered,  when  the  enemy  came  dashing  down  the  Tele 
graph  road  upon  the  three  squadrons  left  with  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Thompson.  Two  of  the  squadrons  had  never 
before  been  under  fire;  the  other  had  been,  but  had  not 
been  known  to  stay  long  under  such  circumstances;  and 
the  present  occasion  did  not  seem  to  be  one  upon  which 
to  vary  the  rule.  Accordingly,  with  the  greatest  alacrity, 
they  broke  by  individuals  to  run  to  the  rear.  The  other 
two  squadrons,  after  firing  a  few  shots  from  their  car 
bines,  instead  of  obeying  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson's 
order  to  charge,  followed  the  example  of  the  departed 
squadron,  and,  considering  the  condition  of  the  roads, 
made  very  good  time  to  the  rear. 

Meantime,  the  squadrons  under  Captain  Chase  were 
pushing  to  their  point,  when,  to  their  surprise,  the  clatter 
of  cavalry  feet  was  heard  in  their  rear,  and,  to  their 
great  anger  and  mortification,  in  an  instant  almost,  they 
were  inextricably  mixed  up  with  the  three  retreating 
squadrons  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson's  line.  As 
soon  as  possible,  however,  a  stand  was  made  and  the  line 
was  reformed.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jones  had  succeeded 
in  stopping  the  enemy  on  the  Kidge  road,  and  was  ready 
to  move  forward  in  conjunction  with  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Thompson  and  drive  the  enemy  back. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  203 

Our  squadron,  under  Captain  Chase,  was  placed  in 
skirmishing  order  across  the  Telegraph  road,  the  squad 
ron  of  the  Fourth  New  York,  in  column  of  platoons,  as 
a  support,  followed,  about  two  hundred  yards  distant,  by 
the  balance  of  the  command,  headed  by  the  Fourth  Penn 
sylvania.  No  trouble  was  experienced  in  regaining,  in  a 
very  short  time,  all  the  ground  which  had  been  lost,  the 
enemy  slowly  falling  back,  exchanging  bullets  with  our 
skirmishers. 

The  rebels  finally  made  a  stand  at  a  cluster  of  log  huts, 
about  half  a  mile  from  Hartwood,  and  considerable  skir 
mishing  ensued.  Coptain  Chase's  squadron,  becoming 
tired  of  merely  exchanging  shots,  gave  a  cheer  for  charge, 
and  away  they  went  for  the  enemy,  and,  in  less  time  than 
it  takes  to  describe  the  stroke,  had  possession  of  the  build 
ings.  A  charge  was  then  made  by  a  squadron  of  the 
enemy,  which  put  to  flight  the  squadron  supporting  our 
skirmishers;  our  skirmishers,  however,  giving  the  rebels 
a  volley  from  their  carbines  as  they  passed  our  line. 
The  rebels  soon  encountered  the  squadron  of  the  Fourth 
Pennsylvania,  and  immediately  retreated,  closely  followed 
by  our  carbines. 

During  the  charge  Captain  Chase's  horse  fell,  and  the 
rebel  squadron  charged  over  him  while  lying  on  the 
ground.  For  about  three  minutes  he  was  a  prisoner, 
but  was  released  by  reason  of  the  persuasive  arguments 
of  a  few  bullets  from  his  men,  who  came  to  the  rescue. 
Night  had  now  come  on,  under  the  cover  of  which  and 
from  the  last  charge,  the  enemy  fell  back  in  full  retreat 
towards  Kelly's  Ford,  leading  to  their  camps. 

We  now  turn  to  the  account,  given  by  Captain  Bliss, 
of  the  attack  on  his  section  of  the  picket  line,  where  our 
greatest  loss  occurred.  Captain  Bliss  was  in  charge  of  a 
line  about  eight  miles  in  length,  and  to  the  left  of  where 


204  SABRES  A^D  SPURS.  [February, 

the  attack  was  made  as  described  above.  About  nine 
and  a  half  o'clock  A.  M.,  four  mounted  rebels,  seen  near 
one  of  the  picket  posts,  were  fired  upon  and  immediately 
retreated.  Notice  was  instantly  given  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Jones  of  this  appearance  of  the  enemy. 

About  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  Captain  Bliss  heard  the 
yells  of  the  enemy  as  they  charged,  and  knew  that  he  was 
out  off  from  the  main  body.  He  had  orders  to  fight  his 
posts,  and  not  abandon  them  till  forced  to  do  so,  and, 
therefore,  against  his  judgment,  held  his  position.  About 
half  an  hour  after  the  enemy's  charge,  the  Captain  heard 
sounds  satisfying  him  that  a  column  of  the  enemy  \vas 
approaching  him  from  his  rear.  Quickly  he  formed  all 
the  men  he  had  at  that  point — twelve  in  number — in 
single  rank  across  the  road  on  top  of  a  hill  facing  towards 
the  rear  and  the  coming  foe:  a  stroke  of  strategy  better 
than  the  Captain  himself  at  first  thought. 

Scarcely  had  the  Captain  taken  this  position  when  the 
head  of  the  rebel  column  made  its  appearance,  and  at 
once  halted,  whereupon  the  following  parley  ensued: 

Eebel.     "  What  regiment  is  that  ?  " 

Captain.     "Advance  one! " 

Rebel.     "  What  regiment  is  that  ?  " 

Captain.     "  What  regiment  is  that  9  " 

Eebel.     "  I  ask  you  that  question." 

Captain.     "Advance  one!" 

Rebel.     "Are  you  rebels  or  Union?" 

Captain.  "  Union!  "  And  this  last  answer  was  given 
with  a  shout. 

At  once  the  rebel  column  fell  back,  and  three  men  of 
our  brigade,  just  before  taken  prisoners,  managed  in  the 
confusion  to  escape  to  Captain  Bliss'  command,  and  gave 
him  full  information  as  to  the  situation  of  affairs.  The 
Captain  then  felt  justified  in  calling  in  his  pickets  so  as 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  205 

to  concentrate  his  force  at  a  point  nearer  the  Rappahan- 
nock  river,  and  sent  a  corporal  to  call  in  his  pickets  on 
the  right.  It  was  too  late,  however,  to  save  them  all. 
While  bravely  obeying  the  order  to  hold  their  posts  to 
the  last,  the  following  men  were  captured:  Lieutenant 
L.  B.  Shurtliff,  Sergeant  W.  H.  Tollman,  H.  B.  Borden, 
C.  H.  Batchelor,  N.  Egan,  J.  W.  Millington,  A.  H.  Her- 
rick,  A.  Gould,— all  of  Troop  A;  Corporal  Alvah  Eaton, 
Corporal  A.  N.  Jacobs,  P.  Shehan,  J.  S.  Brown,  J. 
Berar,  B.  Hawkins,  J.  S.  Webb,— all  of  Troop  C;  and 
T.  Brannon,  J.  L.  Dodge,  J.  S.  Healey,  G.  Wallen,  of 
Troop  F,  and  W.  F.  Dougherty,  of  Troop  G:  total,  one 
officer  and  nineteen  men. 

Captain  Bliss  fell  back  just  in  time  to  escape  capture, 
and  the  enemy  was  twice  repulsed  by  him,  and  his  pick 
ets  re-established  after  his  change  of  position.  At  seven 
P.  M.  an  officer  from  the  main  reserve  notified  him  that 
the  enemy  had  retreated.  He  then  restored  his  picket 
line  and  held  it  till  relieved  at  two  P.  M.  February  26th, 
a  rebel  surgeon,  left  behind  to  care  for  the  wounded, 
informed  him  that  the  column  halted  by  him  was  one 
hundred  and  fifty  strong,  and  that  the  officer  in  com 
mand  reported  that  it  was  impossible  to  advance  on  that 
road,  as  it  was  held  by  a  full  regiment  of  Yankee  cavalry: 
the  twelve  men  having  been  so  formed  as  to  present  the 
appearance  of  the  head  of  a  regiment  to  the  view  of  the 
rebel  officer.  Thus  terminated  a  real  battle  on  the  picket 
line  near  Hartwood  Church.  Stuart  was  signally  foiled. 

General  Averill,  with  a  large  body  of  cavalry,  arrived 
on  the  ground  at  nine  in  the  evening,  and  was  soon 
joined  by  General  Stoneman  and  General  Buford,  com 
manding  the  Regular  brigade;  but  they  were  too  late — 
the  enemy  was  then  safe  from  pursuit. 

February  20th.     At  daylight  the  cavalry  commenced 
18 


206  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

the  pursuit,  and  went  as  far  as  Morrisville,  and  spent  the 
day  reconnoitering  between  Hartwood  Church  and  Kelly's 
Ford,  and  returned  to  their  camps  on  the  27th. 

This  was  the  last  attack  made  on  the  pickets  during 
the  time  the  army  remained  at  Falmouth.  Stuart,  how 
ever,  was  to  have  his  full  pay  for  this  at  a  later  date. 

March  1st.  General  Averill,  owing  to  his  skill  and 
bravery,  now  widely  known  in  the  army,  had  his  cavalry 
forces  augmented  by  the  addition  of  three  regiments,  and 
the  whole  divided  into  two  brigades,  together  composing 
the  Second  Division,  Cavalry  Corps,  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac.  Colonel  Duffie,  although  not  the  senior  Colonel, 
was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  first  brigade,  com 
posed  of  the  First  Rhode  Island,  First  Massachusetts, 
Fourth  New  York — formerly  Mounted  Rifles — and  the 
Sixth  Ohio  Cavalry.  The  second  brigade,  commanded 
by  Colonel  J.  B.  Mclntosh,  was  composed  of  the  Third, 
Fourth,  and  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  The  Reg 
ulars  were  a  brigade  of  themselves,  called  the  Cavalry 
Reserve  Brigade,  under  command  of  General  Buford. 
Of  tli is  brigade  we  shall  have  occasion  hereafter  to  relate 
the  actions. 

Orders  were  now  issued  indicating  that  the  cavalry 
arm  would  be  called  upon  to  perform  a  different  kind  of 
duty  from  what  had  been  their  wont — to  act  more  in 
dependently,  and  not  be  attached  to  the  infantry;  that 
the  duties  would  be  of  that  dashing  nature  peculiar  to 
their  own  arm  of  the  service.  In  fact,  the  whole  tactics 
and  maneuvering  of  cavalry  were  changed;  large  regi 
mental  wagon  trains  were  abolished,  and  pack  mules 
were  substituted.  These  mules,  by  the  way,  occasioned 
no  little  merriment,  as  the  men,  attempting  to  ride  them, 
were  thrown  and  tumbled,  or  defeated  of  a  ride  by  stub 
bornness,  a  la  circus;  yet  they  found  the  spurs  of  our 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  207 

boys  quite  too  much  for  them.  But  finally  this  pack 
train,  from  its  constitutional  stubbornness  and  the  num 
ber  of  men  required  to  fill  it,  was  abolished  in  May 
following. 

During  our  encampment  at  Potomac  Creek  we  were 
visited  by  several  gentlemen  from  Rhode  Island.  Mr.  I. 
S.  Battey  came  with  extra  and  excellent  provisions  for 
us,  contributed  by  the  people  of  Rhode  Island,  by  whom 
we  were  never  forgotten.  Mr.  Allen  Baker  again  kindly 
visited  us,  and  remained  two  weeks.  And  the  regiment 
was  happily  honored  by  the  presence  of  His  Excellency, 
Governor  Berry,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  was  kindly 
caring  for  the  troops  of  the  Granite  State. 

March  13th.  At  dress  parade  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Thompson  presented  to  the  command  Rev.  Ethan  Ray 
Clarke,  the  new  Chaplain,  who  made  a  brief  address. 
We  had  just  received  orders  to  be  in  readiness  to  march, 
at  ten  mhmtes'  notice,  with  three  days'  rations;  and  on 
the  fourteenth  were  inspected  by  Major.  Chamberlain, 
the  Inspector-General  of  the  division. 

March  15th.  Chaplain  Clarke  held  his  first  service,  at 
nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  in  front  of  Colonel  Duffle's  brigade- 
headquarters.  In  the  afternoon  the  brigade  was  reviewed 
by  General  Averill,— a  beautiful  sight— after  which,  the- 
officers  of  the  brigade  repaired  to  the  General's  head 
quarters,  where  they  received  instruction  to  be  ready  and 
start  on  a  raid  at  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning,  with 
three  days'  rations  and  one  day's  forage.  Knowing  that 
work  was  before  us,  our  sabres  and  spurs  were  in  order.. 


208  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

BATTLE     OF     KELLY'S     FORD. 
MARCH— APRIL,  1863. 

(TIE  record  of  this  remarkable  battle  may  be  given 
by  the  pen  of  Captain  George  N.  Bliss. 

March  16th.  The  First  Cavalry  Brigade,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Duffie,  with  the  second,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Mclntosh,  and  four  hundred  of  the  First  with  four  hun 
dred  of  the  Fifth  Regulars,  and  one  battery,  moved  off 
in  fine  style  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  with  four  days' 
rations  and  one  day's  forage.  Arriving  at  Morrisville, 
sixteen  miles  from  camp,  about  dark,  we  bivouacked  for 
the  night. 

March  17th.  At  four  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  column,  ex 
cepting  the  First  Massachusetts,  left  on  picket,  moved  on 
towards  Kelly's  Ford,  and  arrived  near  there  about  day 
light,  halting  whilst  the  advanced  guard,  consisting  of 
forty  men  of  the  Fourth  New  York  and  one  platoon 
of  the  First  Rhode  Island,  under  Major  Chamberlain, 
of  the  First  Massachusetts  (chief  of  General  AverilPs 
staff),  moved  directly  upon  the  ford.  The  ford  was 
found  obstructed  on  both  sides  by  abattis  of  trees  felled 
across  the  road,  and  the  opposite  bank  was  occupied  by 
a  large  number  of  dismounted  rebel  cavalry,  acting  as 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  209 

sharp-shooters,  strongly  protected  by  rifle-pits,  from  which 
they  poured  a  brisk  fire  upon  our  men.  The  obstructions 
were  so  great  that  but  one  horse  could  leap  them  at  a 
time,  and  that  with  extreme  difficulty.  Our  carbineers, 
therefore,  were  dismounted  and  thrown  into  a  mill  race, 
where  they  opened  a  smart  fire  upon  the  enemy.  But 
the  foe  being  too  strongly  lodged  to  be  pushed  out  in 
this  way,  a  charge  was  the  only  alternative. 

The  advance  guard  was  ordered  to  this  bold  work,  led 
by  Major  Chamberlain,  First  Massachusetts,  Lieutenant 
Browri,  of  our  command,  and  an  officer  (name  not  re 
called)  of  the  Fourth  Kegulars,  closely  followed  by  the 
Rhode  Island  boys.  Before  reaching  the  river,  Major 
Chamberlain  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  face  and  fell, 
while  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Fourth  United  States 
turned  and  fled,  leaving  Lieutenant  Brown  and  the  boys 
of  Troop  G-  alone.  The  Lieutenant  was  the  first  to  leap 
his  horse  over  the  abattis,  and  gallantly  did  his  command 
follow;  but  such  was  the  severity  of  the  -rebel  fire  that 
only  three  men  reached  the  opposite  shore  with  the  Lieu 
tenant.  Colonel  Duffie,  seeing  the  situation,  ordered  the 
First  Rhode  Island  across.  The  main  body,  headed  by 
Major  Farrington,  promptly  moved,  the  Major,  Captain 
Thayer,  and  Lieutenants  Fales  and  Chedell  being  the 
first  to  reach  the  opposite  bank.  Many  horses  were  shot 
down  in  the  water,  and  many  a  brave  rider  was  wounded. 
At  once  the  rebels  abandoned  their  rifle-pits  and  fled 
towards  the  woods,  but  our  men  swiftly  charged  upon 
them,  capturing  twenty-five  men,  with  their  horses  and 
arms.  As  the  river  at  the  ford  was  about  four  feet  deep 
and  the  current  very  swift,  and  the  resistance  of  the 
enemy  was  very  determined,  great  credit  should  be 
awarded  to  the  officers  and  men  who  effected  the  cross 
ing  and  dislodged  the  foe.  Colonel  Duffie's  horse  was 
18* 


210  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

hit  by  a  bullet  and  threw  his  rider  in  the  river,  consider 
ably  bruising  one  of  his  legs.  Lieutenant  Rhodes'  horse 
was  shot  dead.  Lieutenant  Brown's  horse  received  two 
bullets,  and  three  passed  through  the  Lieutenant's  cloth 
ing. 

About  two  hours  were  occupied  in  removing  the  ob 
structions  and  getting  our  troops  across  the  river.  About 
ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  we  took  up  our  line  of  march  towards 
Culpepper  Court  House,  fourteen  miles  distant.  A 
platoon  of  the  First  Rhode  Island,  under  Lieutenant 
Vaughan,  with  a  squadron  of  the  Sixth  Ohio,  formed  the 
advance  guard,  supported  by  the  First  Rhode  Island. 
Near  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  ford  the  Confederate 
cavalry  were  discovered  advancing  to  the  attack.  They 
came  on  boldly,  yelling  like  demons,  and  apparently  con 
fident  of  victory.  Major  Farrington  moved  quickly  to 
the  front,  and  was  shortly  wounded  by  a  pistol  shot  cut 
ting  his  neck.  Captain  Gould  took  command,  directed 
by  Colonel  Duffie,  and,  leading  our  command,  charged 
upon  the  rebels,  who  turned  and  fled  before  our  men 
were  near  enough  to  reach  them  with  their  sabres.  Hotly 
our  men  pursued  the  flying  foe,  taking  many  prisoners, 
among  them  Major  Breckinridge,  cousin  to  the  traitor 
Vice-President. 

In  the  excitement  of  victory,  some  of  our  men  failed 
to  notice  another  force  of  rebels  charging  in  a  direction 
which  would  cut  them  off  from  our  troops.  In  conse 
quence  of  this  oversight,  about  eighteen  of  our  men  were 
captured,  among  them  Captain  Thayer  and  Lieutenant 
Darling.  The  belief  is  that  Captain  Thayer  was  wound 
ed,  but  not  mortally.  In  this  charge  Lieutenant  Nathan 
iel  Bowditch,  First  Massachusetts  (Assistant  Adjutant- 
General  on  Colonel  Duffie's  staff),  fell  mortally  wounded, 
after  having  cut  down  three  of  his  assailants.  All  honor 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  211 

to  his  memory;  a  braver  soldier  never  drew  sabre.  Major 
Breckinridge  was  captured  by  Lieutenant  James  M.  Fales, 
of  our  regiment. 

A  few  moments  later,  the  First  Rhode  Island,  with  a 
squadron  of  the  Fifth  Regulars,  led  by  Colonel  Duffle, 
charged  upon  another  regiment  of  the  enemy  that  was 
advancing  at  a  charge.  Here  was  hot  work  again,  that 
pen  may  not  depict.  It  is  a  wild  and  thrilling  scene 
when  two  cavalry  commands  fiercely  charge  upon  each 
other.  We  smote  the  bold  enemy  so  sharply  as  to  roll 
them  back,  routing  them  so  effectually  that  they  retreated 
a  mile  before  their  officers  could  rally  them. 

A  new  line  of  battle  was  immediately  formed  by  our 
forces  one  mile  in  advance  of  our  first  position.  Our 
battery  was  brought  to  the  front.  Our  right  was  held 
by  the  Third  Pennsylvania  and  Fifth  Regulars  ;  our  left 
by  the  First  Rhode  Island  and  a  squadron  of  the  Sixth 
Ohio,  under  Major  Farrington.  The  enemy  now  re-ap 
peared,  evidently  reinforced,  and  led  by  the  famous  Stuart 
himself,  and  charged  in  two  columns,  one  on  the  right, 
the  other  on  the  left  of  our  battery,  apparently  with  the- 
intention  of  capturing  our  guns.  Stuart  led  his  Fourth 
Virginia  Cavalry — seven  hundred  strong — against  our 
left;  this  brought  him  face  to  face  with  the  First  Rhode 
Island  sabres.  Yelling  and  firing  their  pistols,  the  rebels 
came  on,  in  good  order,  for  square  work.  The  men  of 
the  First  Rhode  Island  and  Sixth  Ohio  sat  quietly  in 
their  saddles,  with  drawn  sabres,  till  the  enemy  had  ap 
proached  within  a  hundred  yards,  when  the  .swelling 
order  "Charge!"  was  given.  Now  came  the  work. 
Hoc  labor!  The  whirlwinds  met.  Led  by  the  gallant 
officers — Major  Farrington  and  Captain  Rogers — our 
boys  sprang  upon  the  foe.  The  two  forces  came  together 
at  full  speed — horse  to  horse — man  to  man — sabre  to 


212  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

sabre.  What  a  light !  The  conflict  was  short,  deter 
mined,  deadly.  The  enemy — the  famed  Stuart  and  his 
boasted  Virginia  Cavalry — was  broken,  rolled  back,  ut 
terly  repulsed,  with  very  severe  loss.  Suitable  exultation 
ran  through  our  ranks;  and  this  charge  was  pronounced 
by  the  general  commanding  to  be  one  of  the  most  splen 
did  ever  made.  Indeed,  nothing  more  thrilling  could 
be  pictured  by  the  imagination. 

At  the  same  time  the  rebels  were  repulsed  on  our 
right.  So  the  victory  was  complete.  Quickly  our  lines 
were  reformed.  The  enemy  took  refuge  behind  their 
battery — Stuart's  Horse  Artillery — which  opened  upon 
us  a  heavy  fire,  to  which  our  battery  could  not  respond, 
as  our  ammunition  was  expended. 

In  this  charge,  Sergeant  Fitzgerald  (Troop  G)  fell 
dead  by  a  shot  through  the  heart.  Lieutenant  Nicolai 
and  private  J.  W.  Gardner  were  killed  by  solid  shot. 
Captain  Baker  and  others  were  wounded  by  fragments 
of  shells.  But  of  our  particular  losses  we  will  speak 
presently.  Near  sunset  the  enemy  retired;  the  day  had 
been  too  much  for  their  chivalry.  We,  having  accom 
plished  our  object  of  severely  punishing  the  foe,  quietly 
recrossed  the  river  and  returned  to  Morrisville,  where  we 
spent  the  night.  The  field  of  battle  was  an  open  one, 
favorable  for  cavalry  maneuvers;  artd  this  is  believed  to 
be  the  first  instance  in  the  war  when  any  considerable 
cavalry  force  met  sabre  to  sabre  in  an  open  field  fight. 

To  this  record  by  Captain  Bliss  we  add  a  few  words 
from  Confederate  authorities.  The  sharp-shooters — Sec 
ond  Virginia  Cavalry — at  the  ford  were  under  Breck- 
inridge.  The  first  force  met  after  crossing  was  under 
Fitz  Lee.  The  first  charge  made  on  us  was  by  the  Third 
Virginia  Cavalry,  under  Owen;  another  by  the  Fifth 
Virginia,  under  Rosser.  The  Fourth  Virginia  was  led  by 


1863.]  FIRST   EHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY. 

Stuart;  the  First  Virginia  was  led  by  Drake.  Pelham 
and  Puller  fell.  Said  the  Richmond  Whig:  "There 
were  men  in  our  lines  who  were  engaged  at  Malvern  Hill, 
at  Games'  Mills,  in  many  of  Jackson's  battles,  and  with 
one  accord  they  say  that  they  never  passed  through  such 
a  fearful  fire  as  thinned  our  ranks  in  that  charge."  They 
had  five  regiments  engaged  in  the  action,  and  Stuart's 
Horse  Artillery,  which  must  have  given  them  a  force  of 
about  three  thousand  effective  men.  Moreover,  they  were' 
acting  on  the  defensive.  The  opposing  forces  in  num 
ber  were  nearly  equal. 

Some  of  the  points  of  this  severe  and  splendid  battle 
are  thus  summed  up  by  Lieutenant  Chedell:  "The  First 
Rhode  Island  Regiment  brought  off  the  honors  of  the 
fight — the  first  real,  and  perhaps  the  most  brilliant,  cav 
alry  fight  of  the  whole  war.  It  was  the  first  to  cross  the- 
river;  the  first  up  the  bank;  the  first  in  every  charge;  in 
most  it  was  alone;  in  fact,  it  was  at  the  head  of  every 
movement,  and  bore  the  heat  of  the  battle.  The  whole 
loss  of  our  brigade,  I  believe,  was  sixty-five  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  and  forty-two  of  that  number 
were  from  our  regiment.  The  loss  of  the  rebels  was 
more  than  four  times  that  number ;  they  own  one  hun 
dred  killed,  and  must  have  had  nearly  as  many  wounded. 
We  took  nearly  one  hundred  prisoners." 

Colonel  Dufrie  (acting  Brigadier)  again  proved  his  un 
daunted  courage  and  superior  skill.  It  would  be  useless 
to  specify  each  particular  case  of  bravery  and  merit, 
where  all  officers  and  men  nobly  performed  their  duty, 
gaining  great  credit  both  for  themselves  and  for  their 
regiments.  We  justly  feel  proud  of  our  triumph.  For 
our  lost  comrades  we  sincerely  mourn,  and  extend  our 
heartfelt  sympathy  to  their  bereaved  families  and  friends. 
They  fell  heroically  at  the  post  of  duty. 


214  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

Killed.  Lieutenant  H.  S.  Nicolai  (M),  instantly  killed 
by  shell:  body  not  recovered,  but  buried  on  the  field  by 
Mr.  Brown;  Sergeant  J.  Fitzgerald  (G),  by  carbine  shot 
while  charging;  Joseph  Gardner  (E),  instantly,  by  solid 
shot. 

Wounded.  Major  P.  M.  Farrington,  pistol  shot  in 
neck;  Captain  Allen  Baker,  Jr.,  (E)  two  joints  of  fore 
finger;  Lieutenant  G.  H.  Thompson  (K),  slightly;  Lieu 
tenant  G.  W.  Easterbrook  (I),  flesh-wound  in  thigh; 
Corporal  Joseph  W.  Vincent  (A),  mortally,  thigh  broken 
by  carbine  shot:  died  six  days  after;  Sergeant  J.  E. 
Bennett  (B),  slightly  in  foot;  W.  W.  Hendricks  (B), 
flesh-wound  in  thigh;  Bernard  Murrin  (D),  slightly; 
George  H.  Snow  (D),  slightly;  John  Swindley  (D),  slight 
ly;  Corporal  John  Kiernan  (D),  mortally;  Henry  F. 
Addleton  (F),  slightly;  Miron  W.  Short  (G),  right  arm 
broken;  Henry  P.  Jordan  (G),  flesh-wound  in  leg;  Cor 
poral  Jesse  A.  Warren  (I),  severely  in  leg;  Frank  P. 
Elkins  (I),  flesh-wound  in  leg;  Franklin  Tilton  (I), 
slightly  in  hand;  Corporal  Hugh  Mills  (K),  slightly; 
L.  F.  Porter  (K),  dangerously:  left  in  a  house  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river;  Corporal  George  W.  Sleeper  (L), 
severely  in  arm. 

Missing.  Captain  Charles  H.  Thayer  (B),  wounded, 
and  supposed  taken  prisoner;  Lieutenant  George  W. 
Darling  (B),  supposed  taken  prisoner;  William  H.  Cook 
(A). 

Taken  Prisoners.  Of  Troop  B,  Sergeant  S.  H.  Pick 
ering,  Corporal  E.  G.  Lawton,  William  H.  Hendrick, 
wounded;  of  Troop  C,  Corporal  William  P.  Lovett, 
wounded,  William  H.  Barney;  of  Troop  D,  Sergeant 
Albert  L.  Phillips,  Corporal  Algernon  Riches,  William 
H.  Bennett,  Allen  W.  Towne;  of  Troop  F,  Patrick  Cough- 
Ian,  Allen  G.  Abbott;  of  Troop  K,  Sergeant  Calvin  Rog- 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  215 

ers,  Corporal  J.  C.  Gage;  of  Troop  M,  Lyinan  Wilder, 
James  F.  Hobbs. 

Total,  forty-two. 

The  regiment  reached  its  old  camp  near  Falmouth 
March  18th.  After  his  custom,  Colonel  Duffie  soon  pre 
pared  the  annexed  official  paper: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,  ) 
March  21,  1863.      j 
[GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  8.] 

Again  we  have  met  the  enemy  and  beaten  him  at  all  points. 
He  was  strongly  intrenched  in  rifle-pits  at  the  ford-;  the  road  lead 
ing  into  and  out  of  the  river  barricaded  with  fallen  trees.  After 
an  unsuccessful  attempt  of  the  Fourth  New  York  Cavalry  to  cross, 
two  squadrons  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  with  the  Sixth 
Ohio,  forced  their  way  over  the  obstacles  and  across  the  river  in 
the  face  of  a  most  murderous  fire,  surrounding  and  capturing 
every  rebel  in  the  trenches.  Immediately  after,  the  enemy  ap 
peared  in  force,  with  their  boasted  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry  in 
advance  at  a  charge,  supported  in  their  flank  and  rear  by  three 

full  regiments.     Here  was  an  opportunity — so  long  sought  for 

of  meeting  the  rebel  cavalry  in  a  fair  and  square  fight  in  an  open 
field. 

The  Rhode  Island  squadron  dashed  at  their  column,  broke  the 
head  of  it  in  a  moment,  and  sent  the  whole  body  back  to  their 
reserves,  capturing  nearly  all  the  charging  regiment  with  its  com 
mander.  Again  the  enemy  came  thundering  down,  and  these 
squadrons,  nobly  supported  by  the  Sixth  Ohio,  again  showed  the 
chivalrous  sons  of  the  "sacred  soil "  that  on  an  open  field  they 
were  no  match  for  the  hated  Yankees.  Although  they  were  five 
to  our  one,  a  third  time  the  lines  were  formed,  and  this  time  by 
their  famous  Stuart,  who  had  determined,  if  possible,  to  retrieve 
his  evil  fortune.  On  they  came.  And  then  took  place  that  ter 
rific  hand  to  hand  fight — man  to  man — horse  to  horse — sabre  to 
sabre — which  ended  in  their  utter  defeat,  and  our  most  glorious 
victory. 

The  cavalry  fight  at  Kelly's  Ford  will  become  famous,  not  so 
much  as  to  the  magnitude  of  its  results— though  their  loss  was 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

three  times  that  of  ours — but  as  a  demonstration,  beyond  a  doubt, 
that  in  an  open  fight  the  rebel  cavalry  cannot  stand  Yankee  sabres. 

The  conduct  of  both  officers  and  men,  during  the  whole  day, 
was  beyond  all  praise ;  and  had  the  First  Massachusetts  Cavalry 
been  with  us,  we  should  have  captured  the  whole  famous  regi 
ments  that  were  opposed  to  us.  Let  us  hope  for  another  meeting 
with  the  rebels,  and  all  together  we  shall  share  our  success. 

While  the  conduct  of  all  was  meritorious,  it  is  difficult  to  signal 
ize  any;  but  to  the  lamented  Bowditch,  A.  A.  A.  G.  on  my  staff, 
mortally  wounded  fighting  at  the  front;  to  Major  Farrington, 
commanding  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  who  was  shot  in  the 
neck  during  the  first  charge,  but  who  remained  at  his  post  during 
the  entire  day;  to  the  memory  of  Lieutenant  Nicolai  (First  Rhode 
Island),  who  fell  at  the  head  of  his  troop  ;^to  Lieutenant  Brown 
{First  Rhode  Island),  who  was  the  first  to  dash  into  the  river,  and 
the  first  to  mount  the  parapet  on  the  other  side,  whose  clothes 
were  shot  through,  and  whose  horse  was  shot  three  times;  to  Cap 
tain  Barrett,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Sixth  Ohio  Cavalry, — 
especial  mention  is  due;  while  to  each  and  all,  my  most  grateful 
thanks  are  most  cheerfully  given. 

By  command : 

Colonel  A.  N.  DUFFIE, 

Commanding  Brigade. 

A.  S.  CHILDS,  Lieutenant  and  A.  A.  A.  G. 

We  should  add  here  the  appropriate  paper  prepared  for 
xis  by  the  kindly  pen  of  Nathaniel  G.  Stanton,  M.  D. : 

Lieutenant  HENRY  L.  NICOLAI.  He  was  born  in 
Newport,,  R.  L,  April  29,  1841,  and  was  naturally  inclined 
to  military  affairs,  and,  at  the  commencement  of  the  war, 
was  a  member  of  the  Newport  Artillery  Company.  He 
enlisted  in  the  First  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Volunteers, 
and  held  the  position  of  fourth  corporal  at  the  first  battle 
of  Bull  Run.  On  the  return  of  this  three  months  regi 
ment  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  as 
First  Sergeant  of  Troop  A.  On  the  second  day  of  No 
vember,  1862,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Second 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  217 

Lieutenant.  On  the  17th  of  March,  1863,  in  the  severe 
cavalry  fight  at  Kelly's  Ford,  he  led  his  men  to  the 
charge  three  several  times,  and  was  killed  by  a  solid  shot 
just  as  victory  had  crowned  the  arms  of  the  Union.  He 
was  a  brave  and  promising  officer,  and  his  loss  was  keenly 
felt  by  his  comrades  in  arms.  These,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  paid  a  grateful  and  tender  tribute  to  his  memory. 
From  that  paper,  signed  by  Colonel  Duffle  and  the  officers 
of  our  command,  we  make  the  following  extracts: 

"The  officers  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  wisli 
to  pay  an  appropriate  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  gallant 
officer,  ancl  to  soften  the  affliction  of  those  who  mourn 
his  loss.  A  sense  of  duty  to  God  and  his  native  land 
impelled  him  to  take  up  arms,  and  his  promotions  were 
won  step  by  step  by  a  constant  display  of  zeal  for  our 
cause  and  an  able  and  manly  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a 
soldier.  Three  times  on  the  day  of  his  death  he  had  led 
his  men  to  victory. 

"  For  a  soldier  there  can  be  no  prouder  epitaph  than, 
'Dead  upon  the  field  of  honor.'  On  many  a  weary 
march,  in  many  a  scene  of  danger,  we  had  learned  to 
admire  and  respect  him.  '  We  shall  meet  him  often  in 
memory's  halls;  his  portrait  will  hang  on  memory's  walls. ' 
We  shall  never  find  a  braver  soldier  or  a  truer  man." 

Who  for  his  country  gives  his  blood 
Attests  the  broadest  brotherhood. 


218  SABRES    AND   SPURS. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

SCOUT     DUTY    AND     BATTLE. 
APRIL— MAY,  1863. 

S  winter  was  decamping,  the  military  movements 
of  the  year  were  begun.  The  armies  were  astir; 
the  great  war  waves  were  again  rising.  Having  received 
orders  to  be  in  readiness  for  a  forward  movement,  our 
sick  and  wounded  were  sent  to  a  hospital  established  for 
the  division  at  Acquia  Creek.  Dismounted  men — from 
killed  horses — and  those  with  unserviceable  beasts,  to 
gether  with  the  band,  and  like  detachments  from  the 
other  regiments  of  the  division,  were  sent  to  Dumfries. 
All  this  indicated  serious  work. 

April  13th.  Now  opened  the  spring  campaign.  Break 
ing  winter  camp,  joining  the  cavalry  corps,  forward  we 
moved,  at  night  bivouacking  at  Elkton,  and  the  next 
day  (14th)  moved  to  Bealton,  on  the  Orange  and  Alexan 
dria  Railroad.  A  cavalry  force  saddled  and  packed  for 
a  march  is  a  peculiar  sight,  especially  when  starting 
out  from  settled  quarters  on  a  campaign,  when  all 
are  anxious  to  take  what  comforts  they  can  with  them. 
As  it  is  one  of  our  objects  in  our  record  to  exhibit  the 
inner  life  of  a  cavalry  regiment,  we  will  let  Sargent 
describe  us  as  we  broke  camp  at  this  time: 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  219 

"Just  imagine  your  house,  your  bed,  your  cooking 
utensils,  your  rations,  and  the  feed  for  your  horse,  all 
on  the  horse's  back;  the  things  carried,  and  the  manner 
of  carrying,  being  much  as  follows:  On  each  saddle 
there  are  three  straps  in  front  and  three  behind;  on 
front  is  strapped  the  overcoat,  two  pieces  of  shelter  tent, 
and  a  rubber  talma;  behind  is  carried  the  nose-bag  and 
saddle-bags,  containing  curry-comb  and  brush,  extra 
ammunition,  knife,  fork,  and  spoon;  over  these  hangs 
the  haversack,  containing  rations;  shirt  and  stockings 
extra  are  rolled  in  the  shelter  tent;  the  blanket  is  put 
under  the  saddle  on  top  of  the  saddle  blanket;  the  car 
bine  is  slung  from  the  left  shoulder  and  hangs  on  the 
right  side;  the  revolver,  in  a  holster  attached  to  the 
belt,  is  on  the  right  hip;  the  sabre  hangs  by  the  left  side; 
each  man  has  a  quart  cup  for  making  coffee,  and  a  tin 
plate;  perhaps  each  fourth  man  carries  a  little  fry  pan. 

"A  few  days  after  taking  the  field,  the  men  begin  to 
dispose  of  one  and  another  of  these  superfluous  articles, 
till  finally  they  move  in  what  is  called  light  marching 
order;  and  as  soon  as  warm  weather  sets  in,  many  fling- 
away  their  overcoats,  reserving  only  one  shelter  tent.  In 
rear  of  the  column  moves  the  pack  train — and  a  motley 
column  it  is;  horses,  packed  with  officers'  baggage,  led 
by  servants,  some  white,  some  black:  and  some  officers 
are  allowed  an  extra  horse.  This  train  we  call  the  cara 
van.  Behind  all  is  the  rear-guard  to  keep  up  the  column 
and  prevent  capture  by  guerrillas." 

April  15th.  We  reached  the  north  fork  of  the  Rap- 
pahannock.  Here  for  a  week  we  moved  up  and  down 
the  river  banks  as  videttes,  with  our  eyes  open  to  all 
hostile  movements.  Only  our  generals  knew  where  we 
were  to  serve  and  what  was  impending.  We  feigned  a 
crossing  at  different  fords,  perplexing  and  bewildering 


220  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [April, 

the  enemy.  Strategy  is  the  acknowledged  philosophy 
of  war. 

On  taking  the  front  at  this  time,  Colonel  Duffie,  still 
suffering  from  an  injury  he  had  received,  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  detachments  of  the  division  left  in 
camp.  Captain  Baker  was  left  in  charge  of  the  detach 
ment  of  our  regiment:  he  still  disabled  by  his  wound 
received  in  the  late  battle.  Colonel  H.  B.  Sargent,  First 
Massachusetts  Cavalry,  had  command  of  the  brigade,  in 
the  absence  of  Colonel  Duffie. 

The  dismounted  detachments  were  formed  into  a  pro 
visional  division,  that,  on  the  fifteenth,  in  a  severe  rain 
storm,  started  for  Dumfries,  to  form  a  remount  camp. 
The  rain  was  so  severe  that,  in  crossing  the  streams,  so 
swollen  that  the  ambulances  and  wagons  were  detained, 
some  of  the  horses  were  drowned  in  fording.  On  the 
morning  of  the  seventeenth  all  had  arrived  at  Dumfries, 
a  small  town  on  the  Quantico  Creek,  about  four  miles 
from  the  Potomac,  once  a  flourishing  place,  but  now 
about  a  hundred  years  behind  the  times.  The  detach 
ments  were  stationed  in  different  parts  of  the  town,  to  be 
able  to  defend  the  garrison.  Here  we  were  happy  to  meet 
the  Sixth  Maine  Battery,  our  old  friends,  who  did  such 
splendid  service  at  Cedar  Mountain.  Of  the  people  here 
we  bought  shad,  at  twenty-five  cents  each,  and  herrings 
for  a  cent  apiece;  and  looked  on  the  ruins  of  the  court 
house  where  Patrick  Henry  made  his  celebrated  speeches. 

Colonel  Duffie,  receiving  fourteen  days'  leave  of  ab 
sence,  was  relieved  by  Colonel  J.  Irwin  Gregg,  Sixteenth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  These  detachments  had  the 
double  duty  of  a  remount  camp  and  a  guard  for  our 
line  of  communication,  relieving  General  Geary's  brigade 
to  join  the  army  on  the  front.  Exposed  to  attacks  from 
guerrilla  bands,  the  position  of  the  camp  was  critical. 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  221 


The  movements  briefly  mentioned  in  this  chapter 
be  understood  if  it  be  borne  in  mind  that  General  Hooker 
was  about  to  advance  the  front  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac;  and,  preparatory  to  this  weighty  step,  sent  out  his 
cavalry  forces  to  feel  of  the  enemy's  lines,  and  to  make 
feints  of  attack  in  different  places.  General  Stoneman 
was  sent  to  break  the  enemy's  line  and  strike  in  his  rear. 
General  Averill  was  commanded  to  keep  Stuart  busy  and 
distracted  on  the  line  of  the  Rapidan. 

April  22d.  Copious  rains  having  swollen  the  river 
(Rappahannock),  alike  rendering  roads  and  fords  im 
passable,  for  a  few  days  we  went  into  partial  camp  near 
Warrenton  Junction. 

April  28th.  At  nine  o'clock  P.  M.,  receiving  unex 
pected  mandates,  we  sprung  to  our  saddles,  and,  ad 
vancing  in  the  darkness  through  deep  forests,  reached 
Rappahannock  Station  at  two  o'clock  at  night,  there 
halting  for  further  orders. 

April  29th.  Soon  after  daylight,  spurring  on  to  Kelly's 
Ford,  we  found  a  ponton-bridge  thrown  across,  and  two 
corps  of  infantry  with  artillery  already  over.  As  the 
pontons  were  fully  monopolized  by  others,  we  cavaliers,. 
as  often  we  had  done  before,  defied  the  flood  and  rose  to 
the  opposite  bank.  Here  we  separated  from  the  other 
forces.  The  infantry  and  artillery  moved  towards  Ger- 
mania.  General  Stoneman,  with  Gregg's  division  and 
the  brigade  of  Regulars,  moved  onward  for  Raccoon 
Ford.  General  Averill,  with  his  division  and  one  brigade 
from  Pleasan  ton's,  pushed  up  the  Culpepper  road.  Our 
regiment  was  a  part  of  Averill's  command. 

As  we  approached  the  battle  field  of  March  17th,  we 

again  met  a  force  of  the  enemy.     Brisk  skirmishing  im 

mediately  ensued.     The  fight  had  almost  the  dignity  of 

a  battle.     The  guns  of  our  battery  handsomely  handed 

19* 


SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [May, 

the  rebels  our  solid  sentiments;  they  warmly  returned 
the  compliments.  We  drove  them  from  their  covert  of 
woods.  They  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  open  field. 
We  quickly  moved  up  and  formed  an  opposing  line. 
The  dispute  was  short.  They  retired  to  their  old  po 
sition  of  March  17th,  not  caring  to  meet  again,  as  on 
that  sorely  remembered  day,  the  charge  and  steel  of  the 
Yankees.  At  dark  we  bivouacked  in  the  woods,  leaving 
a  strong  line  of  pickets  on  our  front.  During  the  day 
we  had  but  one  horse  wounded,  but  we  lost  three  men  by 
capture— B.  F.  Hiscox,  G.  D.  Potter,  and  I.  Westcott, 
of  Troop  F. 

April  30th.  The  enemy  showed  no  pickets.  Finding 
the  grave  of  Lieutenant  Nicolai  near  the  centre  of  the 
battle  field,  a  stone  marked  N  was  placed  at  the  head  of 
it.  Cautiously  we  moved  forward  by  Brandy  Station  to 
Culpepper  Court  House.  As  our  skirmishers  entered  the 
town,  we  saw  the  rear  of  the  retreating  foe  dashing  over 
the  hill  beyond.  Pressing  forward,  we  crossed  the  gory 
battle  field  of  Cedar  Mountain,  gazed  tenderly  on  the 
patriot  graves,  passed  round  the  mountain,  and  halted 
at  night  by  the  Rapidan,  over  which  retreating  Stuart 
had  just  passed. 

May  1st.  With  the  river  between  us,  we  found  the 
Confederates  ready  to  give  us  battle.  Cannonading  and 
carbine  discussions  commenced  early  and  lasted  all  the 
day.  Our  battery,  under  Major  Zedball,  of  the  First 
United  States  Artillery,  made  much  sport  by  firing  upon 
and  balking  a  locomotive  with  which  the  "gray  backs " 
were  trying  to  get  off  a  train.  Captain  Chase  (Troop  H) 
started  with  a  force  to  burn  the  bridge,  but  the  rebels, 
anticipating  his  errand,  were  kind  enough  to  burn  it  for 
him.  The  firing  ceased  with  the  day.  Lieutenant 
Phillips,  First  Massachusetts,  was  wounded  in  the  neck. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  223 

Sergeant  Earl  (Troop  F)  received  a  flesh-wound  in  the 
arm.  The  house  of  the  rebel  General  A.  PL  Taliaferro 
was  struck  by  a  shell. 

May  2d.  With  good  roads,  but  a  hot  day,  we  pushed 
on  through  Stephensburg,  and  by  night  reached  Ellis' 
Ford,  on  the  right  of  General  Hooker's  line.  The  next 
day,  crossing  the  ford,  we  passed  through  the  earth 
works  and  bivouacked  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
now  up  and  girded  for  terrible  action. 

May  4th.  The  great  battle  of  Chancellors ville  was. 
raging.  -  The  enemy  opened  fire  at  an  early  hour.  Gen 
eral  Reynolds  called  for  a  cavalry  force  to  make  a  recon- 
noissance,  and  Major  Farrington  with  one  squadron  of 
our  regiment  and  one  of  the  Sixth  Ohio — well  known 
and  fast  friends — were  ordered  for  the  service.  Passing 
out  of  the  earthworks  on  the  right,  our  men  moved  as 
ordered  towards  Ellis'  Ford  again,  and  found  the  enemy 
had  crossed  since  we  left  the  day  before.  Commencing 
by  skirmish,  we  found  the  foe  as  infantry  or  dismounted 
cavalry.  Having  only  five  carbines,  as  we  used  sabres 
and  pistols,  we  were  not  in  order  for  such  opponents, 
whose  shots  whistled  briskly  around  our  ears.  Having 
orders  to  go  to  the  ford  if  possible,  Major  Farrington 
bravely  pushed  on  with  his  little  command.  Two  men 
of  the  Sixth  Ohio  were  wounded,  and  a  number  of  horses 
were  killed.  As  we  advanced,  the  enemy  on  the  left 
drove  in  our  skirmishers,  and,  coming  up  in  our  rear, 
gave  us  a  volley.  But  we  reached  the  river,  three  miles 
from  all  support,  and,  placing  pickets  at  the  ford,  formed 
in  line  with  drawn  sabres,  and  stood  ready  for  defense. 

Thus  we  were  in  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  they  being  in 
our  rear,  on  our  left,  and  in  our  front.  General  Robert 
son,  with  two  regiments  of  infantry  and  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  started  out  to  support  us,  but,  when  only  a  mile- 


224  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

outside  the  pickets,  was  driven  back  with  five  wounded. 
We  held  our  isolated  position  for  two  and  a  half  hours, 
the  rebel  sharp-shooters  doing  their  best  to  discomfit  us. 
Finally  the  enemy  opened  with  artillery,  and  commenced 
to  move  upon  our  left.  Now  our  condition  was  truly 
desperate.  After  consulting  the  officers,  Major  Farring- 
ton  resolved  to  fight  his  way  out  rather  than  to  return 
home  by  the  way  of  Richmond.  We  had  two  prisoners 
with  us.  Taking  one  of  these,  who  was  familiar  with 
the  country,  we  informed  him  that  he  could  have  his 
choice — accept  the  contents  of  a  pistol  or  guide  us  out  of 
our  dilemma  by  a  forest  path  on  our  right  of  which  he 
had  spoken.  He  led  us,  and  we  escaped  the  foe,  safely 
reaching  again  General  Hooker's  earthworks.  Had  the 
rebels  known  the  smallness  of  our  force  they  would  have 
crushed  us.  It  was  reported  that  we  were  lost.  To  the 
coolness  and  bravery  of  Major  Farrington  great  praise  is 
due. 

At  night  General  Reynolds  desired  us  to  make  another 
reconnoissance — evidently  counting  upon  our  nerve. 
Passing  beyond  the  pickets  where  we  had  entered  the 
line,  we  scouted  through  the  thick  woods  to  the  road  on 
Avhich  we  passed  out  in  the  morning.  Returning  to  our 
army  line  on  the  left  of  where  we  went  out,  we  came  so 
unexpectedly  upon  the  line  of  abattis  that  General  Paul's 
brigade,  taking  us  to  be  foes,  gave  us  a  terrible  volley 
from  the  earthworks.  Happily  we  were  below  the  crest 
of  a  hill,  so  that  the  bullets  passed  over  our  heads.  Had 
not  our  messenger  reported  promptly,  we  should  have 
next  received  grape  and  canister  that  would  have  swept 
our  whole  column.  Passing  within  the  earthworks,  we 
thankfully  rested  for  the  night.  The  next  day  we  re 
turned  to  our  headquarters  in  camp,  a  short  distance 
from  our  old  winter  quarters  near  Potomac  Creek  Station. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  225 

It  will  be  noticed  that  we  were  acting  only  as  scouts 
and  feelers  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  on  the  edge  of 
the  great  and  sad  battle  field  of  Chancellorsville.  Hooker 
had  an  army  of  more  than  a  hundred  thousand  to  act 
against  Lee,  who  had  perhaps  sixty  thousand.  But  Lee 
had  every  advantage  of  position  and  lines.  He  paid  no 
attention  to  General  Stoneinan,  who  struck  him  in  the 
rear,  nor  to  General  Sedgwick,  who  smote  him  on  his 
right,  till  he  had  dealt  a  stunning  blow  upon  Hooker's 
main  column  at  Chancellorsville;  then  he  attended  to 
the  minor  forces.  Hooker  lost  seventeen  thousand  men. 
Lee  lost  over  twelve  thousand;  among  these  was  the 
famous  "Stonewall"  Jackson.  The  battle  opened  May 
second  and  lasted  three  days.  After  such  a  battle,  by 
necessity  both  armies  desire  rest. 

May  15th.  Making  ready,  we  moved  to  a  delightful 
spot,  about  one  mile  from  Potomac  Creek  Station,  and 
half  a  mile  from  the  creek,  in  a  beautiful  oak  wood  on  a 
hill  overhanging  a  deep,  romantic  glen,  in  which  was  a. 
clear,  cold  fountain  called  "  Isinglass  Spring."  This  we 
called  "  Camp  Delightful."  But  the  dark  shades  of  the 
battle  were  still  around  us;  near  by  were  three  large 
groups  of  hospital  tents  filled  with  our  wounded  from 
the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  and  for  a  number  of  days 
long  trains  of  ambulances  were  engaged  bringing  over 
the  river  those  left  in  the  enemy's  hands,  but  now  paroled. 

General  Averill  having  been  relieved  from  duty  with 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  Colonel  Duffle  was  called  to 
take  command  of  the  division.  And  now  the  remount 
camp  was  transferred  from  Dumfries  to  Potomac  Creek, 
on  the  27th  of  May,  from  which-  point  our  regiment 
received  all  its  supplies. 


226  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [May, 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

PICKET     SERVICE    AND     FIGHT. 
MAY— JUNE,  1863. 

AY  19th.  The  regiment  went  out  for  three 
days'  service  on  picket  near  Banks'  Ford.  On 
the  twenty-fifth,  at  an  early  hour,  we  left  "  Camp  De 
lightful"  for  service  on  the  front  to  the  northwest,  and 
moved  on  towards  Bealton  Station,  bivouacking  for  the 
night  at  Grove  Church,  and  reached  our  station  the  next 
day,  where  we  were  joined  by  some  of  our  men  from 
Dumfries.  Our  command  was  now  engaged  in  picket 
duty  from  the  north  fork  of  the  Rappahannock  to  Alex 
andria.  At  Bealton  we  laid  out  a  camp  and  resumed 
some  regularity  of  field  life,  though  the  location  had  the 
disadvantage  of  scarcity  of  good,  clear  water. 

May  27th.  General  Gregg's  headquarters  were  beyond 
ours  at  Rappahannock  Station.  In  the  evening  it  was 
rumored  that  the  Confederate«cavalry  were  concentrating 
in  large  force  in  Culpepper  and  vicinity,  with  the  design 
of  crossing  the  river  at  Sulphur  Springs.  Horses  were 
saddled,  and  men  slept  on  their  arms,  waiting  for  the 
bugles  to  bid  us  on  to  face  the  foe.  About  midnight  we 
were  aroused.  The  enemy  had  commenced  to  cross  at 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  227 

the  Springs;  indeed,  their  van  had  reached  Warrenton 
and  driven  in  our  pickets.  Our  second  and  third  bat 
talions  sprung  to  their  saddles  and  were  off  to  the  front 
with  ready  sabres;  but,  rinding  the  foe  indulging  only  in 
a  reconnoitering  movement  and  not  ready  for  close  work, 
sent  back  to  report  the  situation.  Still  th'e  enemy  lin 
gered  in  some  scattered  force  this  side  of  the  river. 

May  28th.  During  the  day  the  enemy  fell  back  to  the 
south  side,  and  at  night  our  troops,  except  Captain 
Wyman's  squadron  (K  and  L),  returned  to  our  camp. 
Captain  Wyman  remained  near  the  ford  till  daylight  of 
the  29th,  then  crossed  the  stream  and  reconnoitered,  and 
finally  safely  returned  to  camp.  These  inconspicuous 
services,  so  constantly  required  of  cavalry,  were  always 
laborious  and  hazardous.  A  portion  of  the  rebel  cavalry 
were  still  in  Fauquier  County  harassing  our  front  and 
lines  of  communication. 

May  29th.  We  received  intelligence  that  a  train  of 
fourteen  cars,  loaded  with  forage  and  rations,  containing 
also  a  four  days'  mail,  had  been  attacked  and  destroyed 
the  day  before  by  the  ubiquitous  and  wily  Mosby  and 
Iris  guerrillas.  Preceded  by  Gregg's  division,  that  hur 
ried  to  Cedar  Run  and  Catlett  Station,  we,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  thirtieth,  moved  from  Bealton  to  within  about 
two  miles  of  Warrenton  Junction,  where  in  a  forest  of 
oak  we  encamped,  though  the  spot  was  illy  supplied  with 
water.  Here  we  were  miles  outside  of  the  main  army, 
connected  with  it  only  by  videttes  and  patrols,  occupy 
ing  an  isolated  and  exposed  position.  As  we  faced  north 
west,  Hooker  lay  in  our  rear,  the  Confederates  on  our 
left  and  in  our  front.  The  special  work  of  our  division 
was  to  watch  and  guard  the  fords  of  the  Rappahannock. 
Besides  a  picket  reserve  at  the  different  fords,  and  a  grand 
reserve  of  pickets,  one  regiment  was  kept  constantly  sad- 


228  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [June, 

died,  ready  to  spring  to  the  relief  of  any  attacked  party. 
The  different  regiments  of  the  division  served  their  turn 
each  of  twenty-four  hours. 

Thus  we  were  prepared  at  a  moment's  notice  to  meet 
and  repel  an  assault.  Should  the  foe  come  in  large  force 
we  could  hold  them  at  bay  till  our  reserves  could  be 
brought  up.  Mosby's  guerrillas  now  infested  the  coun-. 
try  from  Fairfax  on  the  east  to  the  forks  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock  on  the  west;  but  they  adroitly  managed  to  keep 
well  out  of  the  reach  of  loyal  sabres,  their  policy  being 
to  attack  where  there  was  no  doubt  of  success — such  as 
single  horsemen,  small  scouting  parties,  and  unprotected 
wagon  trains.  Despite  their  arts,  and  ambushes  and 
dashes,  our  patrols  and  scouting  parties  dashed  up  and 
down  the  country. 

The  pretenses  and  strategy  of  these  guerrillas  were  well 
understood.  Now  they  would  appear  mounted  and 
armed,  ready  for  fight  and  plunder;  anon,  when  hard 
pushed,  they  would  vanish,  and  might  be  found  in  hum 
blest  dress,  wielding  the  hoe  or  other  peaceful  instru 
ments.  Now  they  were  car  burners  and  plunderers;  now 
they  were  poor  oppressed  farmers,  bewailing  their  sad 
fate,  perhaps  stoutly  averring  that  they  were  Union  men. 
Such  was  the  proud  chivalry  of  Virginia:  to-day,  swear 
ing  marauders;  to-morrow,  whining  sufferers.  Not  that 
this  was  true  of  all  Virginians,  but  only  of  too  many. 
We  honored  the  open,  earnest,  heroic  Jackson,  who  met 
us  like  a  soldier;  we  could  only  despise  the  skulking 
Mosby. 

June  3d.  The  enemy,  under  Stuart,  succeeded  in 
driving  back  our  videttes  and  crossing  in  considerable 
force  at  Sulphur  Springs.  They  were  held  in  check  by' 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Curtis  with  the  main  portion  of  his 
gallant  First  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  until  Colonel  Duffie 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  229 

at  the  head  of  his  old  brigade  (now  under  Colonel  Ces- 
nolia)  went  out  to  his  assistance.  Quickly  the  foe  fell 
back  across  the  river,  and  we  returned  to  camp  about 
midnight. 

General  Stoneman  being  absent  on  account  of  ill  health, 
General  Pleasanton  commanded  the  corps.  Colonel 
Duffie  was  at  the  head  of  our  division.  Our  brigade 
was  under  Colonel  Leighton,  but  as  he  was  away  on 
leave  of  absence,  we  were  commanded  by  Colonel  Ces- 
nolia,  of  the  Fourth  New  York  Cavalry. 

From  the  constant  wear  and  tear  and  strokes  of  war, 
that  is,  sickness,  exhaustion,  wounds,  deaths,  and  cap 
tures,  and  the  special  details  made  from  our  ranks  for 
orderlies  and  remote  service,  only  about  two-thirds  of 
the  regiment  were  now  on  the  front  to  answer  the  bugle 
calls  for  regular  action.  The  wear  of  a  cavalry  regiment 
is  very  great,  on  account  of  the  number,  variety  and  re 
sponsibility  of  its  services. 

At  this  point  in  our  record  we  must  regretfully  part 
with  the  gifted  pen  of  Lieutenant  Chedell,  upon  which 
for  many  months  we  have  largely  depended.  The  noble 
officer  is  soon  to  fall  for  his  country. 

June  8th.  Broke  camp  again  and  marched  until  mid 
night.  Rumors  reached  us  that  the  rebel  cavalry  were 
at  Culpepper. 

June  9th.  At  two  and  a  half  A.  M.  resumed  our 
march  and  approached  the  Rappahannock  shortly  after 
daylight,  and  found  our  cavalry  guarding  the  fords  and 
bridges.  With  the  rest  of  our  division,  under  Colonel 
Duffie,  we  crossed  at  Kelly's  Ford,  and  skirmished  with 
the  enemy's  cavalry  across  the  plains  of  the  old  Kelly's 
Ford  fight  as  far  as  Stephensburg,  holding  that  town  till 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  a  despatch  was  re 
ceived  to  join  General  Pleasanton  at  Beverly  Ford,  by 
20 


230  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

way  of  Brandy  Station.  With  promptness  Colonel  Duf- 
fie  obeyed  the  order  and  moved  to  Brandy  Station,  skir 
mishing  all  the  way.  Though  at  arm's  length,  the  blows 
were  often  sharp  and  telling.  On  reaching  General 
Pleasanton  at  Beverly  Ford,  we  found  that  the  rebels 
had  retired.  In  the  disputes  of  the  day  our  losses  were — 
killed,  J.  Hammell  and  Patrick  Hughes,  Troop  F;  cap 
tured,  Sergeant  William  H.  Durfee,  F.  Decker  and  A. 
Chamoise,  Troop  H. 

Commenting  on  this  day's  action,  the  Richmond  Ex 
aminer  said: 

"The  more  the  circumstances  of  the  late  affair  at 
Brandy  Station  are  considered,  the  less  pleasant  do  they 
appear.  If  this  was  an  isolated  case  it  might  be  excused 
under  the  convenient  head  of  accident  or  chance;  but 
this  much  puffed  cavalry  of  Northern  Virginia  has  been 
twice,  if  not  three  times,  surprised  since  the  battles  of 
December,  and  such  repeated  accidents  can  be  regarded 
as  nothing  but  the  necessary  consequences  of  negligence 
and  bad  management.  If  the  war  was  a  tournament 
invented  and  supported  for  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  a 
few  vain  and  weak-headed  officers,  these  disasters  might 
be  dismissed  with  compassion.  But  the  country  pays 
dearly  for  the  blunders  which  encourage  the  enemy  to 
overrun  and  devastate  the  land  with  a  cavalry  which  is 
daily  learning  to  despise  the  mounted  troops  of  the  Con 
federacy.  It  is  high  time  that  this  branch  of  the  service 
should  be  reformed." 

June  10th.  With  victorious  guidons,  we  leisurely 
marched  back  to  our  camp  at  Warrenton  Junction. 

June  llth.  General  Stoneman  having  been  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  Cavalry  Bureau  at  Washington,  General 
Pleasanton  was  announced  as  the  commander  of  the 
cavalry  corps,  and  he  reviewed  our  regiment. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  231 

June  12th.  We  lost  three  men  by  capture :  R.  W.  Bixby 
and  John  Murin,  of  Troop  C,  and  C.  B.  Hilchey,  Troop  G. 

June  13th.  The  last  of  our  army  left  Falmouth,  push 
ing  northerly.  The  remount  detachment  of  our  regi 
ment  left  Potomac  Creek  at  midnight,  after  setting  fire 
to  all  the  property  that  could  not  be  removed,  amounting 
to  nearly  half  a  million  of  dollars  in  value.  The  Poto 
mac  Creek  bridge  was  mined  and  blown  up.  War  is  not 
checked  by  trifles.  Our  detachment,  marching  to  Acquia 
Creek,  took  steamer  to  Alexandria,  where  they  arrived 
June  14th,  and  formed  a  .camp  on  the  point  near  the 
light-house,  to  the  southeast  of  the  town,  and  where,  in 
a  few  days,  the  regiment,  fearfully  scarred  in  battle, 
reported,  as  we  shall  state  in  our  next  chapter. 

Early  in  this  month  (June)  the  Confederates  com 
menced  their  second  attempt  to  invade  the  loyal  States. 
The  war  within  their  own  bounds  was  becoming  intoler 
able;  their  hope  was  in  a  counter  irritation.  Lee  had 
laid  his  plot  coolly  and  deeply,  and  with  a  reinforced  and 
somewhat  flushed  army  started  on  that  grand  movement 
which  so  profoundly  excited  both  the  North  and  the 
South,  and  which  culminated  in  the  awfully  bloody 
battle  of  Gettysburg.  While  pushing  his  main  army 
down  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  capturing  Winchester  and 
Martinsburg,  he  employed  Stuart  and  his  Virginia  cav 
alry  on  the  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  to  check  as  far  as 
possible  the  movements  of  Hooker's  army.  Instantly 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  began  to  push  northward  to 
strike  Lee  in  his  rear  and  cut  him  off.  As  always  in 
battle  movements,  our  cavalry  force  was  employed  in  the 
van  and  on  the  exposed  flanks  of  the  army.  The  heavy 
skirmishing,  often  amounting  to  severe  battles,  occurred 
along  the  slopes  of  the  Blue  Ridge  and  Bull  Run  Mount 
ains,  till  Lee  had  entered  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania. 


232  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

BATTLE     OF     MIDDLEBURG. 
JUNE,  1863. 

|f|  HEN  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  commenced 
its  northward  movement  to  overtake  Lee,  our 
brigade  was  ordered  towards  Bull  Run  River,  near  Union 
Mills,  where  General  Pleasanton  then  held  his  head 
quarters.  All  movements  were  quick;  all  pulses  beat 
high. 

June  17th.  Early  the  following  order  was  received 
from  the  second  brigade,  Second  Cavalry  Division: 

Colonel  A.  N.  Duffie,  First  Rhode  Island  Caxalry : 

You  will  proceed  with  your  regiment  from  Manassas  Junction, 
by  way  of  Thoroughfare  Gap,  to  Middleburg;  there  you  will 
camp  for  the  night,  and  communicate  with  the  headquarters  of 
the  Second  Cavalry  Brigade.  From  Middleburg  you  will  proceed 
to  Union;  thence  to  Snickersville;  from  Snickersville  to  Percy- 
ville;  thence  to  Wheatland,  and,  passing  through  Waterford,  to 
Nolan's  Ferry,  where  you  will  join  your  brigade. 

Of  our  action  under  this  order  and  the  battle  that  en 
sued,  we  may  copy  from  a  paper  prepared  by  Captain 
George  N.  Bliss : 

"On  the  morning  of  June  17th  our  regiment  left 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  233 

Manassas  Junction  and  passed  to  the  left  towards  Thor 
oughfare  Gap,  while  the  remainder  of  our  cavalry  took 
the  road  to  the  right  leading  towards  Aldie.  At  Thor 
oughfare  Gap  we  found  a  force  of  rebel  cavalry,  reported 
to  be  a  brigade.  Major  Farrington  states  that  he  saw 
about  five  hundred,  while  more  might  have  been  con 
cealed  in  the  woods.  After  a  smart  skirmish,  in  which 
we  had  three  horses  killed  and  a  few  wounded,  the  rebels 
fell  back.  We  then  took  the  road  to  Middleburg,  and, 
two  miles  out  of  the  place,  again  encountered  the  rebel 
cavalry.  At  once  driving  them  back,  we  charged  upon 
the  town  and  took  possession  of  it.  But  as  soon  as  we 
stopped  pursuit,  the  rebels  also  halted  and  commenced 
skirmishing  with  our  pickets. 

"Quickly  we  barricaded  the  roads  leading  out  of  the 
town,  located  our  main  reserve  in  a  favorable  position, 
and  took  a  sharp  view  of  the  situation.  In  our  rear  were 
the.  Bull  Eun  Mountains.  Thoroughfare  Gap  was  in 
possession  of  the  foe.  In  the  direction  of  Aldie,  from 
whence  alone  we  could  expect  help,  was  a  large  force  of 
the  enemy's  cavalry.  In  our  front  was  a  heavy  cavalry 
force,  with  artillery  and  infantry.  Ours  was  a  desperate 
position  to  hold;  but  our  orders  were  to  hold  it.  At  this 
time  Captain  Allen  was  sent  to  communicate  with  Gen 
eral  Kilpatrick,  and,  though  halted  and  hotly  fired  upon, 
succeeded  in  running  the  rebel  lines  and  reached  Aldie. 
After  sunset  the  rebels  charged  upon  the  barricade  be 
yond  the  town,  and  were  repulsed;  but  as  soon  as  they 
discovered  the  nature  of  the  obstructions,  they  deployed 
their  column  and  came  on  with  a  long  line  of  battle 
through  the  fields.  Then  of  course  the  pickets  fell  back 
upon  our  main  reserve,  our  carbineers  were  dismounted 
and  posted  behind  a  stone-wall  running  along  one  side 
of  the  road,  and  we  waited  for  the  attack.  Nor  had  we 
20* 


234  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

long  to  wait.  Down  the  road  dashed  the  rebel  column — 
men  riding  four  abreast — yelling  and  firing  like  demons. 
When  the  road  was  full  in  front  of  our  line  of  carbineers, 
the  order  was  given,  "  Fire  !  "  and  eighty  carbines  hurled 
death  into  the  rebel  ranks. 

"  When  we  state  that  this  occurred  in  the  darkness  of 
the  night,  and  that  the  enemy,  ignorant  of  our  position, 
were  in  such  order  that  every  carbine  discharged  was 
within  six  feet  of  a  rebel  soldier,  you  can  form  some  esti 
mate  of  the  fatal  effect  of  our  fire.  Rider  and  horse 
went  down  in  one  confused  mass  ;  and  those  who  were 
unhurt  rushed  wildly  away  from  the  scene  of  slaughter. 

"Again  they  charged;  again  they  were  repulsed.  A 
third  time  they  made  an  effort,  but  with  diminished  zeal, 
and  recoiled  from  our  fire.  Then  we  heard  the  rebel 
officers  give  the  order,  '  Cease  firing!  Dismount!  and  go 
into  these  woods.' 

"  For  us  to  struggle  longer  against  overwhelming  num 
bers  was  impossible,  and  we  were  commanded  to  fall 
back.  The  larger  part  of  the  regiment  retired  in  good 
order,  moving  to  the  rear  at  a  walk.  But  the  rebels 
were  so  near  us  that  Captain  Chase,  with  many  of  his 
men,  in  the  darkness,  formed  into  a  rebel  column,  sup 
posing  them  to  be  a  part  of  our  regiment.  Major  Far- 
rington,  with  two  of  his  officers  and  twenty-three  men, 
was  at  this  time  cut  off  from  the  remainder  of  the  com 
mand,  and  was  within  the  rebel  lines  twenty-four  hours, 
but  succeeded  at  last  in  bringing  his  party  safely  into 
our  lines.  He  and  his  men  were  obliged  to  stand  by 
their  horses'  heads  to  prevent  them  from  whinnowing, 
while  rebel  columns  were  passing  most  of  the  time  within 
twenty  rods  of  them,  they  being  hid  from  view  by  a 
small  hillock — a  very  anxious  twenty-four  hours  to  them. 
Sergeant  Palmer  also  was  cut  off  from  the  regiment  with 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  235 

twelve  men,  and  brought  them  safely  through  the  rebel 
lines.  The  adventures  of  these  two  parties  were  exciting, 
but  we  have  not  space  here  to  present  them. 

"  These  losses  left  Colonel  Duffie  less  than  two  hun 
dred  men.  With  these  he  fell  back  two  miles  from  Mid- 
dleburg  and  waited  for  daylight,  anxiously  listening  for 
the  roar  of  Kilpatrick's  guns.  But  the  succor  we  hoped 
for  came  not.  And  at  daybreak  (18th)  the  enemy  were 
upon  us.  Our  column  was  quickly  placed  in  the  road, 
and  we  were  about  to  charge  upon  the  rebels  in  our  front 
when  we  discovered  a  rebel  column  coming  down  at  a 
charge  upon  our  rear.  This  forced  us  to  leap  our  horses 
over  a  stone-wall  into  a  wheat  field,  which  necessarily 
threw  us  into  confusion.  But  we  quickly  rallied,  and 
while  forming  the  line  a  rebel  officer  shouted,  'Give  them 
a  sabre  charge!'  to  which  Captain  Bliss  replied,  'That  is 
just  what  we  want.'  After  quickly  forming  the  line,  we 
charged  and  drove  every  rebel  out  of  the  field.  The  road 
was  then  clear  in  the  direction  in  which  we  wished  to 
move,  and  we  took  it  in  column  of  fours,  in  good  order, 
determined  to  cut  our  way  through  whatever  opposed 
our  passage;  but  the  rebels  charged  upon  our  rear  before 
we  had  gone  two  miles. 

"This  blow  upon  us  occurred  in  a  deeply  gullied 
mountain  road,  witli  stone  fences  on  top  of  the  banks 
on  each  side,  so  that  we  could  only  retreat,  and  this  wo 
therefore  did.  The  rebels  pursued  us  about  six  miles, 
constantly  firing  into  our  rear,  and  shouting,  '  Halt ! 
Surrender  !  It's  no  use  ! '  But,  to  the  honor  of  our  men 
be  it  told,  not  a  man  yielded  himself  a  prisoner  volun 
tarily;  but,  turning  in  their  saddles,  our  soldiers  returned 
the  fire,  and  some  of  our  pursuers  were  seen  to  fall  be 
neath  the  deadly  aim  of  our  boys.  The  hard  service 
our  horses  had  seen  told  against  us,  and  large  numbers 


236  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

were  surrounded  and  taken  from  this  cause.  Some, 
however,  took  advantage  of  the  dust  that  obscured  every 
thing,  and,  dashing  into  the  woods,  escaped  by  footing 
it  through  the  rebel  lines  over  Bull  Run  Mountains. 
Among  this  number  was  your  correspondent." 

Colonel  Duffie  finally  succeeded  in  escaping  through 
Hope  well  Gap,  with  four  officers  and  twenty-seven  men, 
and  when  he  looked  around  and  saw  how  few  remained, 
the  tears  ran  down  his  cheeks,  expressing  what  words 
may  not  utter.  Bruised,  exhausted,  and  grieved,  he  and 
his  little  band  reached  Centreville  at  noon. 

The  Color-Sergeant,  G.  A.  Bobbins  (Troop  I),  finding 
that  capture  was  inevitable,  stripped  the  regimental 
standard  from  the  staff,  broke  the  staff  and  threw  it 
into  the  forest,  and,  opening  his  bosom,  wrapped  the 
'colors  about  his  body,  and  so  concealed  them.  He  was 
captured,  but  on  his  way  to  Richmond,  after  a  number 
of  days,  escaped  and  found  his  way  back  into  our  lines. 
Finding  at  length  the  headquarters  of  the  broken  but 
brave  and  honored  regiment,  he  reported  for  duty,  and 
then  drew  from  his  breast  the  loved  and  precious  colors — 
an  act  that  drew  tears  of  gratitude  and  admiration  from 
all  beholders,  and  shouts  of  applause  from  his  brave 
comrades,  and  won  instantly  for  him  a  Lieutenant's 
commission. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  and  eighteen  men  cut 
their  way  through,  and  finally  reported  to  General  Pleas- 
anton,  and,  taking  the  men  detailed  at  cavalry  corps 
headquarters,  reported  to  the  Colonel,  at  Alexandria, 
with  eighty  -men.  Lieutenant  Brown  and  a  squad  re 
mained  in  the  forest,  after  vainly  attempting  to  cut  a 
path  out,  till  noon  of  the  eighteenth,  when  a  Federal 
force  reached  him.  One  of  our  captured  men  states  that 
the  rebels  had  sixteen  stretchers  in  use  upon  the  field, 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  237 

removing  their  wounded  to  town.  Evidently  our  car 
bines  did  fearful  execution.  The  rebels  admitted  a  heavy 
loss,  and  spoke  of  our  regiment  in  high  terms  of  praise, 
and  were  unwilling  to  believe  that  our  two  hundred  and 
seventy-five  men  were  not  a  brigade. 

While  we  were  thus  fighting  at  Middleburg,  the  bri 
gade  to  which  we  belonged  was  engaged  at  Aldie,  in  the 
Bull  Run  Mountains,  and  the  enemy  were  between  them 
and  us.  So  we  were  beyond  help  from  our  forces  till  we 
cut  our  way  back  to  them.  All  the  details  of  adventure 
and  conflict  in  this  battle  of  Middleburg  would  make  a 
record  too  lengthy  for  our  pages.  Our  casualties  were  as 
follows: 

Killed.  Lieutenant  J.  A.  Chedell  (C),  Corporal  T. 
Burton  (F),  S.  Wilcox  (D),  J.  H.  Elkins  (M),  Charles 
Fairbanks  (M),  B.  G.  Lawrence  (M). 

Wounded.  Captain  A.  H.  Bixby  (D),  Lieutenant  B. 
Ellis  (L),  Lieutenant  S.  Brown  (G),  Sergeant  G.  H. 
Steele  (K),  Corporal  G.  W.  Gorton  (D),  Corporal  G.  S. 
Bennett  (D),  Corporal  L.  Cronan  (C),  0.  F.  Merrill  (I), 
George  C.  Eustiss  (M). 

Missing.  Captain  E.  E.  Chase  (H),  Adjutant  E.  B. 
Parker,  Surgeon  A.  A.  Mann,  Lieutenant  C.  G.  A.  Peter 
son  (D),  Lieutenant  H.  P.  Barker  (B),  Lieutenant  J.  M. 
Falcs  (F);  (Troop  A)  Sergeant  J.  R.  Umfreville,  Ser 
geant  J.  F.  Scott,  Sergeant  J.  W.  Pratt,  Sergeant  P.  W. 
Wilkie,  Corporal  F.  L.  Fuller,  Corporal  T.  Linerhan,  J. 
Adams,  C.  H.  Bachelor,  C.  E.  Gould,  A.  H.  Herrick, 
M.  Lynch,  G.  H.  Martin,  E.  F.  Oatley,  E.  B.  Pendle- 
ton,  W.  F.  Peck,  J.  Rathbone,  J.  S.  Ripley,  S.  F.  Slo- 
cum,  H.  West,  I.  York,  H.  B.  Borden;  (Troop  B)  Cor 
poral  G.  S.  Northup,  Corporal  E.  B.  Meyers,  Corporal 
H.  Wellman,  C.  Brown,  B.  Church,  A.  Draper,  G.  Hawk 
ins,  W.  A.  Johnson,  J.  Leedham,  G.  W.  Meyers,  H.  T. 


238  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [Jlllie, 

Nichols,  J.  W.  Rothwell,  W.  H.  Sutton,  W.  H.  Tourjee; 
(Troop  C)  Sergeant  N.  Atwood,  Sergeant  C.  Hubart, 
Corporal  W.  H.  Latham,  A.  T.  Hicks,  E.  S.  Carter,  J. 
Dimond,  J.  Dyer,  J.  Burke,  W.  B.  Ford,  S.  R.  Greene, 
H.  E.  Kindred,  C.  H.  Shultz,  H.  Sutherland,  J.  Cavan- 
agh,  C.  H.  Colburn,  J.  Bevar;  (Troop  D)  Sergeant  R. 
A.  Phillips,  Corporal  G.  T.  Reynolds,  Corporal  H.  H. 
Pierce,  J.  A.  Joslin,  J.  Beckton,  E.  F.  Cohvell,  S.  Can- 
tello,  A.  Durfee,  A.  A.  Greene,  P.  Hock,  W.  H.  Lawton, 
S.  Minor,  R.  McDonald,  A.  P.  Palmer,  G.  W.  Stearns, 
W.  A.  Wellman,  G.  Ashworth,  J.  Barnes,  W.  Hackley; 
(Troop  E)  Sergeant  A.  Walker,  Sergeant  E.  P.  Abbott, 
Sergeant  G.  A.  Kempton,  Sergeant  A.  Hurdis,  Corporal 
L.  C.  Stevens,  Corporal  J.  Murphy,  A.  Doherty,  H. 
Mulholland,  G.  F.  Stone,  W.  H.  Remington,  M.  Farrell, 
J.  Fletcher;  (Troop  F)  Sergeant  W.  Gardner,  Corporal 
M.  Crane,  Corporal  C.  W.  Bowen,  Corporal  D.  A. 
Mathewson,  Corporal  G.  B.  Bennett,  J.  Bennett,  J. 
Grimley,  Jr.,  J.  Knight,  R,  J.  Lillibridge,  J.  Straight, 
J.  Tebo;  (Troop  G)  Sergeant  E.  C.  Martin,  Corporal  C. 
R.  Cross,  Corporal  D.  S.  Cook,  Bugler  F.  Coburn,  J.  W. 
Bidmead,  W.  Butman,  W.  Comstock,  J.  Conlin,  J. 
Crossen,  J.  A.  Hall,  C.  Hall,  P.  Mullin,  P.  J.  Rounds, 
J.  Sheridan,  W.  R.  Spink,  G.  P.  Thurber,  J.  Brown; 
(Troop  H)  Sergeant  H.  A.  Carder,  Sergeant  C.  T.  Lee, 
Corporal  H.  Duxbury,  Corporal  T.  Pinkerton,  Corporal 

F.  B.  Tefft,  Corporal  N.  Hopkins,  Jr.,  Corporal  N.  Ser- 
vatius,  T.  B.  Gould,  W.  Carney,  P.  Harrigan,  W.  Jenkins, 

G.  Kettle,  L.  Mitchell,  J.  Nichols,  J.  J.  Spencer,  J.  A. 
Caldwell,  F.  Buckley;  (Troop  I)  Sergeant  F.  P.  Stone, 
Sergeant  M.  B.  Davis,  Sergeant  G.  A.  Robbins,  Sergeant 
J.  S.   Cilley,  Corporal  G.  A.  Webster,   Corporal  S.  W. 
Laighton,  Corporal  S.  Davis,  Corporal  W.  H.  Everett, 
C.  D.  Dimmick,   A.  L.  Cilley,   H.  Fortier,  J.  Hunt,  S. 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  239 

Lamprey,  D.  S.  Mooney,  H.  H.  Morrison,   I.  L.  Stock- 
bridge,  W.  Woods,  H.  Taylor,  T.  H.  Shepard,  H.  Web 
ster,  W.  Jackson;  (Troop  K)  Sergeant  C.  Rogers,   Ser 
geant  J.  D.  Gage,  Bugler  A.  P.  Tasker,  A.  Cochran,  J. 
M.  Crystal,  E.  Davis,  D.  W.  Furbur,  C.  A.  Glidden,  A. 
A.  Hall,  W.  H.  Hart,  F.  H.  Phillips,  M.  Quimby,  N. 
Reynolds,  S.  J.  Sawyer,  R.  C.  Smith,  H.  Wilson;  (Troop 
L)  Sergeant  G.  W.  White,  Sergeant  L.  V.  Thorn,  Cor 
poral  B.  F.  Locke,  Corporal  W.  W.  Tuttle,  Corporal  W. 
W.  Lovejoy,  Corporal  C.  C.  Clark,  N.  Reynolds,  W.  H. 
Chase,  M.  V.  B.  Davis,  A.  Burbank,  C.  W.  Corey,  J.  B. 
Hill,  J.  V.  Herrick,  W.  R.  Harden,  J.  Marshall,  G.  P. 
Rowe,  J.  P.  Wheeler,  J.  M.  Southwick;  (Troop  M)  Ser 
geant  S.  B.  Weston,  Sergeant  N.  P.  Kidder,  Sergeant 
R.  B.   Shapley,    Sergeant  H.   Leavitt,    Corporal   J.  H. 
Shapley,  Corporal  C.  B.  Sheldon,  Corparal  E.  Leavitt, 
Corporal  A.  Smith,  Corporal  B.  L.  Carr,  Bugler  W.  H. 
J.  Thompson,  J.  Avery,  C.  L.  Bowen,  G.  Y.  Terrell,  J. 
C.  Greene,  H.  P.  Hubbard,  C.  S.  Kidder,  W.  H.  Lover- 
ing,   J.   W.    Warren,    W.    S.  Bradwick,   R.    A.   Brown, 
Chief  Bugler  J.  W.  Day,  Hospital  Steward  E.  D.  White. 
Summary:     Killed,  6;  wounded,  20;  missing,  210. 
Of  the  twenty  wounded,  some  were  among  the  cap 
tured.     It  is  only  marvelous  that  any  of  the  command 
escaped   death  and  capture.     We  were  literally  thrown 
into  the   jaws  of   war.     Of   the  two   hundred  and  ten 
missing,  only  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  were  car 
ried  to  Richmond;  the  rest  adroitly  managed  to  escape 
the  foe,  and  finally  reached  our  lines. 

From  Colonel  Duffle's  official  report  of  this  terrible 
action,  made  at  Centreville  June  18th,  we  make  appro 
priate  extracts: 


I  left  camp  on  the  morning  of  the 
17th  instant,  with  my  regiment,  two  hundred  and  eighty  strong, 


240  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [June, 

and  proceeded  to  Thoroughfare  Gap.  At  this  place  the  enemy 
was  met  in  force,  and  being  much  stronger  than  my  command,  I 
was  obliged,  in  order  to  pass  my  regiment  on  to  the  Middleburg 
road  unseen,  to  make  a  demonstration  on  my  left  flank.  This 
maneuver  was  successful, — the  enemy  retired,  and  I  was  enabled 
to  gain  the  Middleburg  road.  Nevertheless,  they  followed  in  my 
rear,  but  at  a  considerable  distance,  causing  me  no  uneasiness. 
It  was  then  nine  and  a  half  o'clock  A.  M.  At  eleven  o'clock  their 
skirmishers  disappeared,  and  I  proceeded  unmolested  until  four 
o'clock  P.  M.,  when  approaching  Middleburg,  my  skirmishers 
again  met  and  engaged  the  enemy,  capturing  his  first  picket  in 
the  road.  I  ordered  Captain  Allen,  commanding  the  advanced 
squadron,  to  charge  through  -the  town.  By  this  movement  the 
rear-guard  of  General  Stuart  was  cut  off,  and  then  a  brisk  cavalry 
fight  ensued  between  his  rear  and  my  advance  guard.  This  en 
gagement  lasted  half  an  hour,  when  the  enemy  was  completely 
routed,  and  forced  to  retreat  in  the  greatest  disorder  and  con 
fusion,  scattering  in  every  direction. 

Learning  that  Stuart,  with  two  thousand  cavalry  and  four  pieces 
of  artillery,  had  left  town  but  half  an  hour  before  my  arrival,  and 
proceeded  towards  Aldie,  I  ordered  that  the  different  roads  lead 
ing  into  the  town  be  barricaded  and  strongly  picketed,  and  in 
structed  the  officers  commanding  the  outposts  to  hold  the  place 
at  all  hazards,  hoping  that  after  effecting  communication  with 
the  brigade,  which  I  supposed  to  be  at  Aldie,  I  should  receive 
reinforcements.  Captain  Allen  was  selected  to  carry  a  despatch 
to  General  Kilpatrick,  and  directed  to  avoid  as  much  as  possible 
all  main  roads. 

The  town  was  held  by  my  command  from  four  and  a  half  to 
seven  o'clock  P.  M. ,  during  which  time  the  skirmishers  had  been 
constantly  engaged.  At  seven  I  learned  that  the  enemy  was  ap 
proaching  in  force  from  Union,  Aldie,  and  Upperville.  Deter 
mined  to  hold  the  place  if  possible,  I  dismounted  one-half  of  the 
regiment,  placing  them  behind  stone-walls  and  barricades.  The 
enemy  surrounded  the  town,  and  stormed  the  barricades,  but 
were  gallantly  repulsed  by  my  men,  with  great  slaughter. 

They  did  not  desist,  but,  confident  of  success,  again  advanced 
to  the  attack,  and  made  three  successive  charges.  I  was  com 
pelled  to  retire  on  the  road  by  which  I  came,  that  being  the  only 
one  open  to  retreat,  and  with  all  that  was  left  of  my  command  I 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  241 

crossed  Little  River,  northeast  of  Middleburg,  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night,  establishing  strong  pickets  on  the  river. 

At  ten  P.  M.,  having  heard  nothing  from  the  despatch  sent  to 
General  Kilpatrick,  at  Aldie,  I  sent  twenty  men,  under  an  officer, 
to  carry  a  second  despatch.  I  have  since  learned  that  Captain 
Allen  succeeded  in  making  his  way  through  the  enemy's  lines  to 
Aldie;  the  party  bearing  the  second  despatch  was  probably  cap 
tured. 

At  three  and  a  half  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the  18th  instant, 
I  was  informed  by  scouts,  whom  I  had  previously  sent  out,  that 
the  roads  in  every  direction  were  full  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  and 
that  the  road  to  Aldie  was  held  by  a  brigade  with  four  pieces  of 
artillery.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  abandoned  the  project  of 
going  to  Union,  but  made  up  my  mind  not  to  surrender  in  any 
event.  I  directed  the  head  of  my  column  on  the  road  to  Aldie, 
when  an  engagement  commenced  at  once,  the  enemy  opening  on 
both  flanks  with  heavy  volleys,  yelling  to  us  to  surrender.  I  at 
once  directed  Captain  Bixby,  the  officer  commanding  the  advance 
guard,  to  charge  any  force  in  his  front,  and  follow  the  Aldie  road 
to  that  point  where  it  connects  with  the  road  to  White  Plains. 
This  order  was  executed  most  admirably.  Captain  Bixby's  horse 
was  shot  and  he  himself  wounded. 

We  were  then  in  an  extremely  hazardous  position,  the  enemy 
being  in  front,  rear,  and  on  both  flanks,  and  were  intermixed  with 
us  for  more  than  an  hour,  till  we  reached  the  road  leading  to 
Hopeville  Gap.  I  must  freely  praise  the  gallant  conduct  of  the 
brave  officers  and  men  who  were  fighting  side  by  side  with  over 
whelming  numbers  of  the  enemy,  with  the  most  determined  valor, 
preferring  rather  to  die  than  to  surrender. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE, 
Colonel  Commanding  Regiment. 

It  is  proper  to  add  the  report  from  Captain  Allen: 

CAMP  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY, 
ALEXANDRIA,  Va. ,  June  22,  1863. 

Colonel  A.  N.  Duffie  : 

Sir:— I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  about  five  o'clock  P.  M., 
on  the  evening  of  the  17th  instant,  I  was  sent  from  Middleburg, 
where  the  regiment  was  then  engaged  with  the  enemy,  to  carry  a 
21 


242  -AMKES    AND    SPURS.  [Julie, 

despatch  to  General  Kilpatrick  at  Aldie,  accompanied  by  two 
men.  I  first  attempted  to  proceed  by  the  main  road,  but  wa> 
halted  and  fired  upon  by  a  body  of  the  enemy,  who  said  they 
\\  •-]•(,'  the  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry.  I  then  returned  towards  Mid 
rlldmrg,  and  leaving  the  road  attempted  to  make  my  way  across 
the  country.  I  found  the  fields  and  woods  in  every  direction  full 
of  bodies  of  the  enemy;  by  exercising  the  greatest  care,  I  suc 
ceeded  in  making  my  way  through  them  to  Little  River.  Here  I 
rm  ountered  five  of  the  enemy  and  forced  them  to  give  me  passage. 
Following  the  river  down,  I  struck  the  main  road  about  one  mile 
from  Aldie,  and  by  inquiry  learned  that  our  pickets  were  on  that 
road. 

I  reached  Aldie  and  delivered  my  despatch  to  General  Kil- 
jmtrick  at  nine  P.  M.  General  Kilpatrick  informed  me  thut  hi> 
brigade  was  so  worn  out  that  he  could  not  send  any  reinforce 
ments  to  Middleburg,  but  that  he  would  report  the  situation  of 
our  regiment  to  General  Gregg.  Returning,  he  said  that  General 
Gn-irg  had  gone  to  state  the  facts  to  General  Pleasanton,  and 
directed  me  to  remain  at  Aldie  until  he  heard  from  General 
Plf:a-:mton.  I  remained,  but  received  no  further  orders. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

FRANK  ALLEN, 
Captain  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 

In  another  communication  from  Colonel  Duftie  we  find 
the  following  language:  "I  could  certainly  have  saved 
my  regiment  in  the  night,  but  my  duty  as  a  soldier  and 

•  olonel  obliged  me  to  be  faithful  to  my  orders.  Dur 
ing  those  moments  of  reflection,  and  knowing  that  my 
regiment  was  being  sacrificed,  contemplating  all  this 
through  more  than  five  hours,  my  heart  was  bleeding 
in  seeing  the  lives  of  those  men,  whom  I  had  led  so  many 
times,  sacrificed  through  the  neglect  and  utter  forgetful- 
ness  of  my  superior  officers;  but  in  the  midst  of  my  grief 
I  found  some  consolation,  beholding  the  manner  in  which 
the  Rhode  Island  boys  fought." 

AtToction  forbids  that  we  should  close  this  tragic  and 
painful  chapter  of  our  history  without  some  .special  and 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  243 

honorable  mention  of  the  Christian  man  and  gallant 
officer  who  fell  in  the  sanguinary  scene;  and  the  more 
do  we  owe  him  a  record  from  the  fact  that  he  ably  repre 
sented  the  regiment  by  his  pen  as  well  as  by  his  sabre. 

Lieutenant  JOSEPH  A.  CHEDELL.  He  was  a  native  of 
Barrington,  R.  L,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  war  was  a 
student  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Newell,  of  Provi 
dence,  R.  L,  with  whom  he  enlisted  in  our  regiment, 
filling  the  position  of  Hospital  Steward.  He  was  mus 
tered  into  the  service  December  14,  18G1.  Faithful  at 
his  post,  and  evincing  talent  and  ambition  for  service  in 
the  line,  he  received,  January  14,  1863,  a  commission  as 
Second  Lieutenant.  •  Capable  and  beloved,  he  was  hon 
ored  by  all  with  whom  he  associated.  Bravely  he  filled 
his  position  in  numerous  scouts  and  skirmishes,  and  es 
pecially  in  the  battles  of  Kelly's  Ford,  Chancellorsville, 
Brandy  Station,  and  Middleburg,  in  which  last  he  fell  at 
the  post  of  duty.  He  was  buried  on  a  farm  near  the 
battle  field,  but  the  body  was  subsequently  exhumed  by 
his  comrades,  when  the  fortunes  of  war  brought  them 
back  to  the  scene  of  disaster,  placed  in  a  coffin  and  re- 
buried  with  tenderness,  and  was  afterwards  taken  to 
Washington  by  the  Government,  and  from  thence  brought 
by  relatives  to  Providence,  R.  I. 

Few  young  men  have  a  purer,  brighter  record  than 
Lieutenant  Chedell.  To  live  uprightly,  to  do  one's  whole 
duty,  and  finally  to  crown  a  loving,  spotless  life  with  a 
martyr's  death,  are  characteristics  which  seldom  unite  in 
one  so  young.  In  short,  he  lived  and  died  a  patriot,  a 
soldier,  and  a  Christian. 

His  body  having  reached  Providence,  R.  I.,  on  Sun 
day,  December  9,  1866,  funeral  honors  were  observed  in 
the  Bethel  Church,  led  by  Rev.  John  Taylor,  who  spoke 
from  the  words,  "I  have  fought  a  good  fight;  I  have 


24-i  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [June, 

finished  my  course,"  etc.  Major  Farrington,  Surgeon 
Newell,  Captains  Baker,  Bliss  and  Darling,  and  many  of 
the  rank  and  file  of  our  regiment  were  present,  some 
acting  as  pall-bearers — all  true  mourners.  At  the  con 
clusion  of  the  services,  the  Providence  Horse  Guards, 
acting  as  escort,  saluted  the  hearse,  and,  moving  at  the 
head  of  the  procession,  passed  through  Benefit  street  to 
the  North  Burying  Ground.  The  coffin,  decorated  with 
the  American  flag,  was  handled  by  cavalry  men,  and 
saluted  by  all  in  military  form  and  spirit.  Over  the 
grave  were  fired  the  three  honorary  volleys,  and  the  re 
mains  were  left  to  repose  among  the  ashes  of  kin  and 
friends.  But  the  memory  of  the  young  hero  is  with  us 
and  with  his  country. 

Brave  brother,  our  tribute  we  render  to  thee; 
On  the  mountains  of  battle  you  fell  for  the  free. 


1803.]  FIRST    RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  245 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

CAPTIVITY    OF    CAPTAIN     EDWARD     E.     CHASE. 
JUNE,  1863— FEBRUARY,  1865. 

E  give  another  inside  view  of  the  Confederacy, 
following  the  pen  of  the  brave  and  beloved 
Captain  whose  name  always  stood  high  upon  our  roll, 
and  whose  bitter  experiences  among  our  enemies  should 
have  a  place  in  our  patriot  history: 

"  The  prisoners  captured  by  the  enemy  at  Middleburg, 
Va,,  on  the  night  of  June  17,  1863,  and  the  day  follow 
ing,  were  marched,  during  seven  days,  by  way  of  Upper- 
ville,  Winchester  (where  we  tarried  under  guard  two 
days),  and  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  to  Staunton — a  dis 
tance  of  about  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  where  we 
arrived  on  the  evening  of  June  24th.  On  the  25th,  we 
were  placed  on  the  cars,  and  arrived  at  Libby  Prison, 
Richmond,  in  the  evening-.  The  reports  that  had  pre 
viously  reached  us  of  the  treatment  which  we  might 
expect  to  receive  at  the  hands  of  the  rebels  having  charge 
of  the  prison  were  more  than  fully  justified.  When  we 
were  placed  in  line  and  underwent  the  usual  examina 
tion,  watch,  money,  and  other  valuables  were  taken  from 
us,  and  any  protesting  on  the  part  of  the  unlucky  Yan- 
21* 


246  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [July, 

kees  was  sure  to  bring  forth  remarks  from  the  prison 
officials  more  forcible  than  elegant.  All  of  us  that  were 
officers  were  assigned  to  quarters  on  the  two  upper  floors 
of  the  building,  when  we  proceeded  to  make  ourselves  as 
comfortable  as  circumstances  would  admit. 

"  On  the  6th  of  July,  news  reached  Richmond  of  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  the  first  reports  represented  the 
result  of  that  conflict  as  highly  favorable  to  the  rebels. 
Forty  thousand  prisoners,  among  other  little  matters, 
had  been  captured  and  were  en  route  to  the  Confederate 
capital.  What  would  they  do  with  them?  And  how 
could  they  feed  so  many?  were  the  questions  soberly 
asked  in  the  morning  papers  of  that  day.  Now  was 
surely  the  proper  time  for  taking  the  first  step  towards 
raising  the  black  flag  and  ending  the  war  in  a  blaze  of 
glory. 

"At  half  past  ten  in  the  forenoon,  a  sleepy  looking 
individual,  known  as  Sergeant  George,  of  the  C.  S.  A., 
made  his  appearance  in  the  prison  and  announced  that 
all  the  captains  were  wanted  down  stairs.  The  roll  was 
called,  and  the  officers  designated  descended  to  the  lower 
middle  room  of  the  building,  where  we  were  formed  in  a 
hollow  square.  A  number  of  chaplains  held  as  prisoners 
were  then  brought  in,  and  at  once  the  belief  was  expressed 
that  these  proceedings  were  preliminary  to  an  exchange 
of  prisoners,  and  immediately  the  spirits  of  the  party 
went  up. 

"  Major  Thomas  P.  Turner,  commandant  of  the  prison, 
then  appeared,  and,  taking  from  his  pocket  an  official 
document,  proceeded  to  read  in  substance  that  Major 
Turner  would  select  from  the  Federal  officers,  of  the 
rank  of  captain,  two  for  execution,  in  retaliation  for  a 
like  number  of  officers,  of  the  same  rank,  executed  by 
order  of  General  Burnside  in  Kentucky,  unjustly  charged 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  247 

as  having  been  spies.  The  change  that  came  over  the- 
spirits  of  the  officers  may  be  imagined.  A  dead  silence 
ensued,  which  was  broken,  after  a  few  seconds  which 
seemed  like  hours,  by  Major  Turner,  who  informed  his 
hearers  that  the  two  officers  required  for  execution  would 
be  selected  by  lot.  Each  captain's  name,  together  with 
the  regiment  to  which  he  belonged,  was  written  upon  a 
separate  piece  of  paper,  which  was  folded  and  placed  in 
a  small  round  box,  the  officer  answering  to  his  name  as 
it  was  dropped  in.  The  box,  after  being  covered,  was 
well  shaken. 

"  It  was  agreed  that  one  of  the  Federal  chaplains,  who 
consented,  after  much  arguing,  to  do  so,  should  draw 
from  the  box  two  of  the  folded  papers,  and  that  the 
names  written  upon  them  should  be  those  of  the  two 
victims.  The  two  papers  were  drawn  out  amidst  a  most 
awful  silence,  and  laid  upon  the  table,  the  old  chaplain's 
face  streaming  the  while  with  tears.  Turner  took  up  the 
papers  and  read,  <  Captain  Flynn,  Ohio  Volunteers;  Cap 
tain  Sawyer,  First  New  Jersey  Cavalry.' 

"  For  full  two  minutes  after  the  result  of  the  drawing 
was  known  we  were  unable  to  articulate  a  word.  With 
sorrowful  hearts  we  were  marched  back  to  our  quarters, 
leaving  behind  us  the  two  unfortunate  officers  condemned 
to  suffer  for  some  supposed  wrong  committed  by  another. 
Captains  Flynn  and  Sawyer  were  confined  in  the  cells 
situated  in  the  cellar  of  the  building  for  some  weeks, 
when  they  were  allowed  to  remain  with  the  other  prison 
ers.  In  the  meantime  the  Federal  Government  had  been 
notified  of  the  intended  execution  of  these  officers  through 
General  B.  F.  Butler,  commanding  the  department  hav 
ing  charge  of  the  exchange  of  prisoners  of  war.  Gen 
eral  Butler's  action  was  quite  in  keeping  with  his  reputa 
tion  previously  acquired  at  New  Orleans,  as  a  man  ready 


248  SABKES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

at  all  times  to  assume  responsibility;  and  there  is  every 
reason  to  suppose  that  he  would  have  been  as  good  as  his 
word  in  carrying  out  his  avowed  intention.  General 
Butler  had  in  confinement  as  prisoners  of  war  General 
William  H.  F.  Lee,  son  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee,  and 
Captain  Winder,  son  of  General  Winder,  Provost  Mar 
shal  at  Richmond.  These  two  officers  he  placed  under 
guard  in  the  casemates  of  Fortress  Monroe,  and  gave  an 
order  to  the  commandant  of  the  fortress  to  hang  them 
immediately  and  without  further  orders  upon  receiving 
official  information  that  Captains  Flynn  and  Sawyer  had 
been  executed.  Colonel  Ould,  Confederate  commission 
er  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  was  duly  notified  what 
would  be  done  should  the  rebel  government  commence 
retaliation,  and  the  result  was  that  the  first  lot  of  prison 
ers  that  went  down  the  James  River  contained  Captains 
Flynn  and  Sawyer;  and,  for 'the  balance  of  the  time  the 
war  continued,  no  further  attempts  were  made  to  hang 
prisoners.  Other  retaliating  measures,  however,  were 
carried  out,  and  seemed  to  fall  rather  heavily  upon  the 
officers  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 

"I  was  sent  to  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  together  with  two 
other  officers  of  the  same  rank,  who  were  drawn  by  lot, 
to  be  confined  at  hard  labor  during  the  war,  in  retalia 
tion  for  a  like  number  of  officers  of  the  rebel  navy,  who 
were  captured  on  the  Chesapeake,  engaged  in  burning 
shipping,  and  sentenced  to  hard  labor  at  the  Alton  (Illi 
nois)  Penitentiary,  during  the  time  that  the  war  might 
last. 

"  Prison  life  at  Salisbury  was  a  great  improvement  on 
that  at  Libby;  better  food  was  provided,  and  plenty  of 
room  to  sleep  in.  True,  the  small-pox  prevailed  to  a 
large  extent  among  the  inmates  of  the  prison,  who  con 
sisted  of  about  three  hundred  Union  men  from  Tennes- 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  249 

see  and  Virginia,  and  some  four  hundred  belonging  to 
the  Confederate  army,  who  were  serving  out  sentences  of 
court-martial.  But  the  prisoners  became  used  to  it,  only 
a  few  cases  of  varioloid  taking  place  among  the  officers 
confined  there.  As  to  the  hard  labor,  that  was  almost  a 
figure  of  speech,  and  would  have  been  wholly  so  but  that 
one  day  Captain  Kendall,  First  Massachusetts  Volun 
teers,  and  Captain  Litchfield,  Fourth  Maine  Infantry, 
and  myself  were  ordered  to  carry  stones  with  which  .to 
fill  up  a  discovered  tunnel  dug  by  the  prisoners.  The 
officers  politely  refused  to  do  the  work,  and  were  allowed 
to  retire.  The  officer  of  the  day  called  upon  us  and  ex 
plained  that  they  were  merely  carrying  out  old  Winder's 
orders,  and  that  they  reckoned  nothing  more  need  be  said 
about  the  matter. 

'•'  The  hostages  remained  at  Salisbury  till  the  middle 
of  May,  1864,  when  we  were  sent,  with  other  prisoners 
from  Richmond,  to  Macon,  Georgia.  The  journey  to 
that  point  was  a  trying  one;  the  weather  was  hot,  and 
the  cars,  which  were  the  ordinary  freight  cars,  were 
crowded,  sixty  men,  besides  the  guard,  being  placed  in 
each.  Some  fifteen  hundred  officers  were  confined  in 
the  stockade  at  Macon,  where  we  spent  the  months  of 
June  and  July.  From  Macon  we  were  transferred  to 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  nominally  placed  under  the  fire 
of  the  Federal  guns  mounted  on  Morris  Island.  During 
the  time  we  remained  in  Charleston  only  one  officer  was 
wounded  by  shells,  and  that  one  slightly.  The  yellow 
fever  breaking  out  in  the  city,  about  October  1st,  caused 
a  removal  of  the  prisoners  to  Columbia;  but  not  until 
some  thirty  of  our  number  had  been  stricken  down  with 
the  disease,  a  few  only  of  whom  survived. 

"The  prisoners,  with  the  exception  of  those  who  man 
aged  to  escape,  remained  at  Columbia  until  a  general 


250  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

exchange  of  prisoners  took  place  in  March,  1865,  many 
of  us  having  been  confined  from  eighteen  months  to  two 
years.  At  Columbia  the  prisoners  were  placed  in  an 
open  field,  and  were  surrounded  by  a  thin  line  of  senti 
nels  only.  To  get  outside  the  guard  was  a  simple  mat 
ter;  but  the  great  difficulty  was  how  to  get  through  the 
rebel  country  to  the  Federal  lines.  The  nearest  point  at 
which  United  States  troops  were  stationed  was  Knox- 
ville,  Tennessee,  a  distance  of  over  three  hundred  miles 
in  a  straight  line  from  Columbia. 

"Two  of  us  determined  to  try  our  luck,  however,  in 
an  attempt  to  reach  it.  Lieutenant  Fales  and  myself  ran 
the  guard  line  on  the  morning  of  November  4,  1864,  and 
succeeded  in  reaching  a  point  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  distant  before  being  recaptured.  Our  sufferings 
during  the  time  we  were  thus  striving  to  reach  home 
were  something  terrible.  We  were  captured  at  last,  in 
the  Smoky  Hill  Mountains,  dividing  North  Carolina 
from  Tennessee,  on  the  26th  of  November,  after  having 
been  without  food  for  three  entire  days.  After  being  re 
captured  we  were  marched  on  foot  to  Morgantown,  N. 
C.,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  where  we  were  placed 
on  cars  and  sent  to  Danville,  Va.,  the  nearest  Yankee 
prison.  We  remained  at  Danville  until  we  were  ex 
changed  by  way  of  Richmond  and  James  River. 

"  On  the  17th  of  February,  1865, 1  stepped  on  board  the 
rebel  flag  of  truce  boat  Schultze,  at  Richmond,  just  one 
year  and  eight  months  from  the  day  on  which  I  was  cap 
tured.  Our  company  consisted  of  seven  officers  and  four 
hundred  sick  and  dying  enlisted  men,  many  of  the  latter 
destined  never  to  reach  the  protection  of  their  flag;  for 
they  departed  this  life  before  the  boat  arrived  at  the  point 
of  exchange,  Cox's  Landing,  where  the  released  prisoners 
were  handed  over  to  their  friends. 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  251 

"A  great  deal  has  been  written  about  the  treatment  of 
prisoners  of  war  by  the  rebel  authorities;  but  it  is  not 
ray  purpose,  as  this  is  not  the  place,  to  enter  at  length 
into  a  discussion  of  that  subject.  That  better  treatment 
might  have  been  given  to  the  enlisted  men  held  as  pris 
oners  there  is  no  doubt.  The  Federal  officers,  prisoners 
of  war,  were  subjected,  God  knows,  to  ill  treatment 
enough;  but  when  their  privations  are  compared  with 
those  of  the  men  who  lived,  suffered,  and  died,  at  Belle 
Isle,  Andersonville,  Florence,  Millen,  and  Salisbury,  they 
need  hardly  be  mentioned. 

"  One  fact  presented  itself  conspicuously  in  prison 
life;  that  was,  that  when  soldiers  from  the  field  had 
charge  of  prisoners  they  were  much  better  treated  than 
when  in  charge  of  men  who  had  never  seen  a  fight  or 
heard  a  bullet  whiz.  To  the  latter  class  belonged  Thom 
as  P.  Turner,  of  Libby  Prison,  and  Wirtz,  of  Ander 
sonville;  while  in  the  former  class  may  be  placed  Major 
Raymond,  of  Charleston,  and  Captain  Galloway,  of  Salis 
bury." 


252  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [June, 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

CAPTIVITY     OF     SERGEANT    J.'R.     UMFREVILLE. 
JUNE— JULY,  1863. 

ERGE  ANT— afterwards  First  Lieutenant — John 
R.  Umfreville,  from  whose  graphic  and  humorous 
papers,  written  home  from  the  field,  we  draw  the  sub 
stance  of  this  chapter,  met  his  death  in  1868,  by  an  acci 
dental  shot,  in  Florida,  while  in  the  service  of  the  Gov 
ernment.  It  will  be  perceived  that  his  pen  was  as  sharp 
as  his  sabre.  His  genius  and  education  made  him  a 
delightful  companion,  a  strong  man,  and  an  honored 
patriot. 

Of  his  capture  in  the  battle  of  Middleburg,  where  he 
was  one  of  the  pickets,  he  spicily  says: 

"I  received  reliable  information  of  the  position  and 
force  of  the  enemy  in  the  shape  of  a  volley  of  musket 
balls.  Caesar!  how  the  balls  whizzed.  I  immediately 
gave  the  enemy  a  prospective  view  of  my  back  and  the 
length  of  my  horse's  tail;  but  I  had  scarcely  turned  when 
another  volley  followed,  two  balls  taking  effect  in  my 
horse,  one  above  the  gambrel,  and  another  in  the  fetlock- 
muscle.  As  he  was  travelling  at  a  John  Gilpin  pace, 
he  fell  headlong,  and  I  described  a  parabolic  curve,  of 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  253 

beautiful  proportions,  over  his  head,  striking  my  left 
shoulder  against  a  tree  and  my  head  on  a  hard  mac 
adamized  road.  Partially  stunned  and  considerably 
lamed,  I  waited  the  course  of  events.  The  gents  to 
whom  I  owed  my  two  volleys— some  three  hundred  in 
number,  of  whom  thirty  were  dismounted — made  their 
appearance,  and  their  commander  ordered  a  charge  down 
the  road;  but  nary  a  charge  could  he  get  out  of  them 
till  our  men  had  time  to  make  their  escape. 

"  I  picked  myself  up,  and,  seeing  a  shed  near  by,  got 
into  it.  Cogitating  what  my  chances  of  escape  were,  I 
concluded  I  was  done  for,  as  a  party  of  the  cusses  were 
stationed  before  my  domicil.  While  thus  my  mind  was 
engaged,  I  went  to  sleep,  and  did  not  awake  until  two 
o'clock  (18th).  I  then  cautiously  crawled  out  and  struck 
across  lots,  and  very  soon  popped  in  among  a  picket  and 
was  halted;  but,  not  having  time  to  make  a  call,  I  put 
about  and  steered  another  course,  and  again  found  my 
self  near  a  post.  I  got  quietly  away,  and  rested  a  few 
moments,  and  took  the  chamber  from  my  revolver,  de 
termined  that  not  one  of  the  rebels  should  ever  have  the 
pleasure  of  using  that  against  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

"I  now  started  on  another  tour  of  inspection,  jumped 
over  a  wall,  and,  as  luck  would  have  it,  dropped  right 
into  a  picket  reserve.  I  was  halted,  and,  after  a  short 
parley,  surrendered  myself  a  prisoner  of  war  to  the  Fifth 
North  Carolina  Cavalry.  I  was  sent  to  the  headquarters 
of  General  Robinson,  commanding  the  North  Carolina 
brigade,  and  here  found  out  what  a  pretty  little  cobweb 
we  had  got  ourselves  into.  Passing  through  the  town, 
I  saw  some  of  the  effects  of  Captain  Chase's  handiwork: 
the  ground  strewed  with  dead  horses;  five  dead  rebels 
lying  on  a  porch,  and  twenty-five  wounded;  one  Major 
McNeil  dead. 
22 


254  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [June, 

"The  next  morning,  General  Robinson  asked  me  a 
number  of  questions,  and  I  told  him  everything  I  knew, 
as  you  will  perceive  by  the  tone  of  his  remarks,  viz. : 
•'You  are  a  damned  Yankee  Know  Nothing.'  After 
telling  me  that  they  had  caught  Milroy  and  hung  him, 
and  were  'going  to  carry  the  war  to  New  York,  I  retired 
from  the  pleasant  interview  with  an  escort  from  the  cam}) 
of  the  Fifth  North  Carolina  Cavalry.  Arriving  there,  I 
found  Captain  Chase  and  his  men,  and  also  how  the  cob 
web  above  mentioned  had  been  woven.  It  was  thus  : 
About  two  hours  before  we  entered  Middleburg,  two 
brigades  of  Stuart's  cavalry  had  finished  going  towards 
Aldie;  and  shortly  after  them  the  North  Carolina  brigade 
arrived  near  the  place,  and  during  the  night  W.  H.  F. 
Lee's  and  Hampton's  brigades,  with  twenty-four  pieces 
of  artillery,  arrived.  Fitz  Lee  and  Jones  ran  into  a  snag 
at  Aldie  in  the  shape  of  Kilpatrick,  and  fell  back  to  Mid 
dleburg.  So  our  regiment  was  in  a  precarious  condition 
on  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  June. 

"  June  18th.  About  seven  o'clock,  under  charge  of 
a  lieutenant  and  guard,  our  party  started  for  Upperville. 
Passing  Stuart's  headquarters,  we  saw  that  officer,  and 
also,  shortly  after,  the  great  R.  E.  Lee  himself.  We  ar 
rived  at  our  destination  about  ten  o'clock,  and  were  put 
in  an  old  church.  Shortly  after,  another  squad  arrived, 
among  whom  were  Lieutenants  Peterson  and  Fales;  and 
soon  another  squad,  and  soon  another;  and  we  plainly 
saw  that  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  was  most  cer 
tainly  a  used-up  institution.  After  some  preliminaries 
of  searching  and  so  on  were  through,  the  whole  party  of 
about  two  hundred  started  for  Paris,  and,  amid  a  drench 
ing  rain  and  hail  storm,  arrived  there.  I  had  a  good 
dinner  at  Upperville,  and  the  twelve  miles'  walk  to  Paris 
gave  me  a  good  appetite  for  supper;  but  nothing  was 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  255 

forthcoming.  So,  crawling  under  a  blanket  with  Wilkie, 
we  laid  on  the  wet  ground,-  with  a  stone-wall  for  a  pillow, 
and  went  to  sleep  among  Pickett's  division  of  the  rebel 
army. 

"  June  19th.  In  the  morning  I  awoke  quite  fresh  and 
desperately  hungry.  Procuring  a  few  tack  with  a  cup  of 
water,  I  made  my  breakfast.  We  soon  started  for  Win 
chester,  passing  through  Ashby's  Gap  and  fording  the 
Shenandoah  at  Birney's  Ford.  The  day  was  extremely 
hot,  and  many  of  the  men's  feet  began  to  get  sore.  We 
arrived  at  Winchester  about  four  P.  M.,  very  tired  and 
slightly  hungry.  We  were  put  in  the  court-house,  and 
found  a  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  our  brigade,  taken  at 
Aldie,  which,  with  the  one  hundred  and  ninety  of  the 
First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  made  a  very  good  haul. 
Also  with  us  were  some  one  hundred  infantry  stragglers 
picked  up  by  friend  Mosby.  We  purchased  food  at  an 
exorbitant  price,  and  turned  in,  and  the  next  morning 
started  for  Staunton,  a  distance  of  ninety- two  miles. 
We  camped  at  Keenestown,  three  miles  from  Winches 
ter,  and  that  night,  for  the  first  time,  received  food — a 
pound  of  flour  and  a  fourth  of  a  pound  of  pork  per  man. 
We  made  bread — we  did — and  after  tossing,  and  tossing, 
and  toasting,  and  baking  in  a  plate,  it  had  the  appear 
ance  of  cast-iron  and  the  texture  of  sole-leather;  but  we 
ate  it.  It  had  rained  hard  all  day.  I  will  not  attempt 
a  description  of  the  journey. 

"  With  few  exceptions,  we  found  the  Southern  soldiery 
the  most  ignorant  set  of  beings  it  was  ever  my  luck  to 
fall  in  with.  Most  of  them  treated  us  as  well  as  any  one 
could.  But  we  received  many  insults  from  the  citizens 
as  we  passed  along  the  road,  more  especially  from  the 
ladies,  to  whom  a  live  Yankee  was  an  object  of  the 
greatest  curiosity.  The  road  to  Staunton — through  the 


256  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

mountains — the  paradise  of  Virginia — is  beautiful  and 
macadamized;  it  is  unequalled,  by  any  road  I  ever  saw. 
The  soldiers  we  met  were  eager  to  buy  anything  we  had, 
paying  in  Confederate  scrip.  The  citizens  had  a  strange 
weakness  for  greenbacks,  and  sought  for  them.  Their 
lingo  was  more  like  that  of  a  nigger  than  of  a  civilized 
white.  Such  were  the  chivalrous  -Southrons  who  pro 
fessed  extreme  superiority  over  the  Northern  vandals. 
The  North  Carolinians  more  especially  use  this  odd  kind 
of  language;  but  they  are  the  best  hearted  soldiers  in  the 
Southern  army,  and  ever  willing  to  share  what  little  they 
have  with  us;  nor  are  they  so  fiery  in  their  secesh  senti 
ments. 

"June  26th.  We  arrived  at  Richmond.  The  late 
reverses  to  the  rebels  had  had  a  depressing  effect  upon 
the  city.  The  papers  were  filled  with  articles  denouncing 
their  generals.  General  Keyes  was  advancing  upon  Rich 
mond",  and  the  stores  were  all  closed.  Everybody  able  to 
carry  a  gun  was  called  out,  and  the  people  began  to  move 
towards  Lynchburg  with  their  goods  and  families.  It 
was  some  days  before  order  was  restored  in  the  city. 
General  Keyes  could  easily  have  taken  the  city;  but  it  is 
not  a  fit  place  for  a  bog  to  live  in.  A  nastier  or  more 
stinking  place  can  not  be  found  in  God's  universe.  A 
perfect  military  despotism  of  the  most  grinding  character 
prevails  in  the  South.  Murder  and  plundering  prevail  to 
a  great  extent  in  Richmond  and  Petersburg;  so  say  their 
own  papers.  Everything  has  assumed  a  dilapidated  ap 
pearance.  From  the  description  of  Richmond  three 
years  ago,  and  the  appearance  of  it  to-day,  one  would 
think  the  plague  had  been  at  work  and  very  nearly 
finished  the  work  of  desolation. 

"  On  our  arrival  in  Richmond  we  were  put  into  Libby 
Prison,  and  went  to  work  amusing  ourselves  with  the 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY. 


257 


idea  that  we  were  soon  to  be  paroled,  and  perhaps  some 
day  have  a  chance  to  repay  the  little  kindnesses  shown 
us,  with  interest.  After  a  dietetic  supper,  we  went  to 
bed  on  the  floor,  but  not  many  slept;  a  species  of  insect 
or  vermin  seemed  to  have  a  prior  right  to  the  building, 
and  fought  desperately  for  the  maintenance  of  their 
claim.  On  the  twenty-seventh  we  were  escorted  to  Belle 
Island,  the  country-seat  of  the  prisoners  of  war  to  the 
great  and  glorious  Southern  Confederacy. 

"  I  stood  prison  life  very  well  for  a  week,  when  I  began 
to  have  the  dysentery  in  a  bad  form.     The  doctor  wanted 
to  send  me  to  the  hospital.     I  told  him  I  preferred  to  die, 
if  I  was  going  to  kick  the  bucket,  on  the  island,  as  it  was 
handier  to  the  burying-ground.     If  anybody  wanted  to 
help  police  the  camp  they  got  double  grub.     I  did  not 
work;  I  did  not  fancy  my  boss— a  deserter  from  our  army. 
"  On  Monday,  July  18th,  the  commanding  officer  sent 
for  me  to  come  to  him,  and  said,  if  I  would,  he  should 
like  to  have  me  bring  out  seven  men,  good  writers,  to 
make  out  parole  rolls,  as  they  were  expecting  several 
hundred  prisoners  from  the  North.     I  consented,  for  I 
should  have  better  rations  and  more  liberty.     We  were 
engaged  on  the  rolls  three  days,  when  we  were  taken  to 
the  tobacco  warehouse  with  the  rest  of  our  men.     The 
next  morning  we  took  the  cars  for  City  Point,  arriving  at 
the  point  at   ten  o'clock.     Our  trip  to  Annapolis  was 
pleasant.     We  had  plenty  of  rations,  and  were  very  glad 
to  bid  good-bye  to  rebeldom.     On  our  arrival  at  camp  we 
were  furnished  with  new  clothes,  and  began  to  look  like 
civilized  beings  again. 

"I  was  in  the  hands  of  J.  D.  thirty-five  days,  and  I 
fell  away  from  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  pounds  to 
one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  pounds:  so  you  see  our 
commissary  department  was  rather  poorly  supplied. 


22* 


258  SABKES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

"While  I  was  writing  in  the  prison,  a  Xorth  Carolina 
lieutenant,  looking  over  my  shoulder,  remarked,  'All  you 
Yanks  all  write  pretty  smart.  Did  you  all  ever  go  to 
school  ?'  With  a  sober  face,  I  told  him  I  was  for  some 
years  Professor  of  the  Board  of  Anti-Amalgamationists 
and  Resinous  Futchins.  He  said  I  looked  young  to  hold 
such  a  position." 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  259 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

CAPTIVITY     OF    SERGEANT    W.     GARDNER, 
W.    A.    JOHNSON,     AND    OTHERS. 

JUNK— JULY,  1863. 

0  brave  was  the  resistance  of  our  men  at  the  battle 
of  Middleburg,  and  so  large  the  number  that  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  that,  out  of  a  just  regard 
to  them,  we  are  justified  in  giving  some  further  record 
of  their  experiences  in  captivity;  meanwhile,  we  shall 
the  better  understand  the  spirit  and  strength  of  the  re 
bellion  by  looking  within  the  Confederate  lines.  Wel 
come  A.  Johnson,  whose  paper  we  shall  now  present, 
may  speak  alike  for  himself  and  for  his  worthy  com 
rades.  Omitting  the  particular  incidents  of  the  battle 
and  capture,  that  we  may  avoid  seeming  repetitions,  we 
take  up  his  journal  at  the  point  where  he  falls  into  the 
hancls  of  the  foe: 

"June  18th.  We  were  taken  back  to  the  town.  The 
road,  on  both  sides,  was  strewn  with  men  and  horses,, 
dead  and  dying.  On  a  piazza  in  the  town  I  saw  at  least 
thirty  dead  bodies,  all  of  whom  I  judged  to  be  Confed 
erates,  as  they  were  partly  covered  with  sheets  and  deco 
rated  with  flowers.  Some  two  or  three  miles  beyond  the 


260  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [June, 

town,  on  the  left  of  the  road,  was  a  large  body  of  infant 
ry  encamped,  also  artillery  in  park;  none  of  which  I 
judged  had  taken  part  in  the  fight.  We  halted  in  Paris, 
where  we  were  searched  and  deprived  of  all  valuables, 
and  marched  into  a  lot  formerly  used  for  burying  the 
dead.  Here  we1  remained  all  the  wet  and  disagreeable 
night. 

"June  19th.  Filed  into  the  road  and  marched  on, 
which  was  hard  on  empty  stomachs;  but  did  not  stop  for 
trifles.  Xot  even  the  north  fork  of  the  Shenandoah 
could  stop  us;  through  it  we  waded,  the  water  up  to  our 
waists.  Twenty-eight  miles  brought  us  to  Winchester. 

"June  20th.  The  rebels,  believing  in  the  old  adage, 
'  Misery  loves  company,'  gave  us  plenty  of  it;  this  com 
pany  proved  to  be  a  portion  of  Milroy's  command. 
Marched  to  Keenestown  and  camped,  receiving  about 
two  ounces  of  salt  pork  and  a  pint  of  raw  flour,  mingled 
with  rain,  that  began  to  fall  and  continued  most  of  the 
night. 

"June  21st.  Ordered  forward.  Some  of  the  boys 
were  barefooted,  the  majority  nearly  so.  Passed  through 
Newtown,  Middletown,  and  Strasburg;  four  miles  beyond 
the  latter  camped  for  the  night,  tired,  sleepy,  hungry, 
and  without  shelter,  lying  on  the  ground  for  rest. 

"June  22d.  Marched  through  Woodstock  and  Edin- 
burg.  In  these  towns  we  were  allowed  to  buy  bread, 
pies,  milk,  cake,  etc.,  in  payment  for  which  they  refused 
their  own  money  if  we  had  greenbacks.  Pies  cost  fifty 
cents  to  a  dollar;  bread,  three  dollars  per  loaf;  cakes,  from 
ten  to  twenty-five  cents  each;  milk,  one  dollar  per  can 
teen.  It  is  proper  to  state  how  we  were  able  to  purchase 
provisions.  Sometime  in  the  latter  part  of  May  or  first 
of  June  we  had  been  paid,  but,  being  constantly  on  the 
wing,  had  no  chance  for  sending  our  money  home  by  the 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  261 

State  agent,  as  was  our  custom.  After  our  capture  and 
before  being  searched,  we  had  concealed  our  money  in 
different  parts  of  our  clothing,  ripping  a  hole  in  the 
waistband  of  our  pants,  folding  our  money  and  conceal 
ing  it  between  the  lining  and  the  outside;  also  by  run 
ning  it  around  the  inside  of  the  sweat  leather  of  our  caps. 
We  arrived  at  Mount  Jackson  near  dark,  a  distance  of 
about  twenty-eight  miles,  and  for  the  first  time  were 
sheltered  from  the  damp  night  air,  being  quartered  in 
hospital  buildings,  sleeping  comparatively  well  on  hard 
beds,  disturbed  only  by  occasional  shots  from  the  guard,, 
who  stated  that  some  of  the  Yankees  were  trying  to 
escape. 

"  June  23d.  While  we  were  early  in  line,  preparing  to 
move  on,  a  horseman  rode  along  quite  anxious  to  obtain 
what  he  called  Yankee  money,  offering  four  hundred 
per  cent,  in  Confederate  money.  I  judge  not  many  of 
his  bids  were  taken,  as  he  rode  off  muttering  that  we 
were  a  poor,  miserable  set  of  Yanks.  It  was  a  common 
thing  for  the  citizens  to  call  us  'Lincoln's  thieves/  and 
to  taunt  us  with  having  tried  to  get  to  Richmond  for  two 
years,  adding  they  had  no  doubt  we  would  get  there  now. 
Passing  through  Newmarket  we  camped  near  Harrison- 
burg,  where  we  drew  hard  bread— a  luxury  .we  had  not 
seen  since  our  capture. 

"June  24th.  Resumed  our  march.  Some  of  our 
boys  had  become  so  weak  from  the  long  and  fatiguing 
march  that  they  were  placed  in  an  ambulance  or  army 
wagon  which  accompanied  us  from  Winchester.  This 
our  last  day's  march  on  foot  seemed  much  harder  than 
all  the  rest;  hence  there  was  some  straggling.  As  I  hap 
pened  to  be  one  of  the  number  thus  in  the  rear,  an  officer 
rode  back  from  the  front  with  the  order,  '  Close  up  d— d 
quick.'  As  I  said  to  him  we  were  tired  and  could  not, 


262  SABKES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

he  drew  sabre,  uttered  an  oath,  and  came  nigh  riding 
over  me.  Halted  within  two  miles  of  Staunton,  drew 
seven  hard-tack  each,  and  camped. 

"June  25th.  A  short  march  brought  us  to  Staunton. 
After  some  confusion,  a  train  of  cars  was  in  readiness  to 
take  us  to  Richmond.  Owing  to  the  bad  condition  of 
the  road  our  progress  was  slow,  affording  us  a  good  view 
of  the  surrounding  country  as  we  passed  along,  a  view 
in  part  very  beautiful. 

"June  26th.  Arriving  in  Richmond,  after  the  com 
mon  salutations  of  scorn  and  hisses  from  the  citizens,  we 
passed  on  to  Libby  Prison.  Slowly  and  reluctantly  we 
entered  the  horrible  den.  Here  began  the  dread  reality 
of  prison  life.  This  prison  is  situated,  I  judge,  in  the 
northern  portion  of  the  city,  back  of  which  runs  the 
James  River,  and  is  three  stories  high,  eighty  feet  deep, 
and  a  hundred  and  ten  feet  long,  containing  some  half 
dozen  or  more  rooms,  and  is  built  of  brick.  It  was  minus 
all  furniture.  Window-frames,  without  sash  or  glass, 
alone  remained.  Here  for  the  night,  with  only  bread 
and  water,  we  rested — a  night  long  to  be  remembered. 

"June  27th.  Ordered  in  line,  counted,  and  marched 
to  Belle  Island.  This  place  is  situated  on  James  River, 
about  half  a  mile  west  of  Richmond,  and  contains  some 
forty  or  fifty  acres.  The  portion  occupied  by  us  prison 
ers  contains  only  about  four  or  five  acres,  and  lies  next 
to  the  city,  and  is  of  a  sandy  nature.  It  is  nearly  on  a 
level  with  the  river,  and  is  encircled  by  earthworks  about 
three  feet  high,  outside  of  which  are  stationed  the  guards. 
On  the  south  side  and  near  the  bank  of  the  river  stands 
the  commissary  department,  with  cook  houses  attached, 
where  were  cooked  our  scanty  rations. 

"Shortly  after  entering  on  the  island,  we  found  it- 
necessary  to  have  some  one  of  us  take  charge  of  and 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  263 

draw  rations,  which  consisted  of  two  meals  daily.  This 
duty  finally  devolved  on  Sergeant  Gardner  (Troop  F), 
and  faithfully  did  he  perform  this  duty.  There  were 
about  five  thousand  prisoners  on  the  island,  a  portion  of 
whom  were  sheltered  from  the  scorching  summer  sun 
and  driving  storms  by  Sibley  tents.  As  these  shelters 
were  quite  insufficient  to  accommodate  all,  those  who 
came  last— our  party— were  without  shelter.  Kot  even 
a  tree  was  left  within  the  inclosure. 

:<"The  day  was  spent  in  washing  and  cleaning  ourselves 
as  best  we  could.  When  night  came  we  laid  ourselves 
down  upon  the  ground,  sheltered  only  by  the  canopy  of 
heaven. 

'  Hail,  night!  with  joy  I  welcome  thee; 

Thou  com'st  when  all  things  else  forsake ; 
Thou  bringest  rest,  and  makest  free 

Sad,  weary  hearts  that  ache.' 


"June  28th.  A  severe  rain  storm  in  the  morning; 
clearing  off  before  noon,  the  sun  came  out  scorching 
hot;  we,  without  shelters,  realized  the  extremes.  At  ten 
o'clock  the  drums  beat  'breakfast  call.'  The  Sergeant, 
with  four  men,  procuring  from  some  of  the  boys  a  blanket' 
which,  fortunately,  had  not  been  confiscated,  proceeded 
outside  the  breastworks  to  the  cook  house,  where  he  re 
ceived  a  pot  of  bean  soup  and  several  loaves  of  bread 
with  which  he  returned  to  us.  After  the  usual  style, 
each  man  received  half  a  pint  of  soup  and  one-quarter  of 
a  loaf  of  bread.  Of  soup,  I  have  seen  dish  after  dish 
dealt  out  to  men  in  which  not  a  single  bean  was  visible, 
being  nothing  but  water,  and  that  muddy  and  filthy. 
The  bread  was  quite  good,  what  there  was  of  it.  Our 
dishes  were  of  various  patterns:  half  a  canteen,  a  bottle 
with  the  top  broken  off.  Some  had  cups.  Others,  less 


264  SABBES   AND   SPURS.  [June, 

fortunate,  in  their  turn  would  each  take  the  cup  used  by 
the  Sergeant  to  measure  the  soup,  place  it  to  his  lips  and 
swallow  the  contents,  then  take  the  pittance  of  bread 
handed  him,  and  pass  on  without  a  murmur.  After 
breakfast,  men  gathered  in  groups  around  the  prison 
grounds,  discussing  the  condition  of  affairs  and  the  in 
dications  of  the  future— not  very  cheering  themes.  Still, 
occasionally,  a  laugh  or  a  whistled  air,  or  a  hummed 
lyric  might  be  heard;  for  hope  keeps  house  even  in  pris 
on.  From  four  to  five  in  the  afternoon  the  rebel  drum 
would  again  be  heard,  summoning  the  quartermaster  to 
the  cook  house  with  his  blanket,  into  which  this,  time 
meat  and  bread  were  tumbled  together — two  ounces  of 
meat  and  a  quarter  of  a  loaf  of  bread  to  each  man. 

"June  29th.  The  hot  weather  tells  with  terrible 
effect  upon  the  boys,  who  are  still  without  shelter.  Add 
ed  to  this  is  another  element  of  misery,  in  the  shape  of 
what  we  termed  'gray  backs' — more  properly  called  lice. 
They  infested  the  very  ground.  ,  While  sitting  on  the 
earth  hunting  them  from  our  clothes,  we  have  seen  them 
crawling  in  the  sand.  Thousands  can  testify  to  this  hor 
rible,  loathsome  condition  of  Belle  Island.  Our  rations 
are  very  scant,  having  had  but  one  meal  for  the  day;  and 
now  that  we  are  warned  by  a  bell  in  the  steeple  of  some 
city  church  that  the  time  for  retiring  has  arrived,  we  lay 
our  hungry  vermin-bitten  bodies  on  the  earth  in  the  hope 
of  sleep. 

"  June  30th.  Waking,  we  find  ourselves  drenched  with 
the  rain,  and  two  or  three  inches  of  water  beneath  us. 
The  storm  continued  most  of  the  day,  making  it  one 
of  the  most  uncomfortable  that  we  experienced  on  the 
island. 

"July  1st.  A  day  of  excitement.  Five  thousand 
prisoners  rush  towards  the  centre  of  the  prison  grounds 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  265 

and  into  the  parade  leading  from  the  main  entrance, 
where  an  officer,  with  paper  in  hand,  and  a  squad  of  men 
are  standing.  The  officer  is  calling  the  names  of  differ 
ent  regiments,  telling  the  men  they  must  sign  the  parole 

and  be  sent  North.     They  are  then  formed  in  line 

about  six  hundred  in  number — and  marched  off  the 
island.  With  feelings  that  we  may  not  express  we 
watched  them  till  they  were  out  of  sight. 

"July  2d.  All  sorts  of  rumors  are  afloat:  that  the 
island  is  to  be  cleared  immediately;  that  we  are  to  be 
paroled;  that  we  are  to  be  sent  to  Andersonville,  Ga.,  to 
make  room  here  for  prisoners  now  on  their  way-  False 
as  were  these  reports,  they  no  doubt  proved  a  blessing  to 
us,  as  we  had  something  to  talk  about  and  occupy  our 
minds  for  the  next  few  days.  Inactivity  and  stagnation 
of  thought — incident  to  prison  life— are  awful  and  con 
suming.  As  light  suppers  were  fashionable  here,  we 
this  day  had  a  treat  in  the  shape  of  rice  soup. 

"July  3d.  The  heat  is  intense,  and  great  is  the  suf 
fering  of  the  sick  who  have  not  been  removed  from 
the  prison  ground  to  the  hospital — they  preferring  to 
remain  in  the  open  air.  This  suffering  is  caused  some 
what  by  the  filthy  water  we  are  compelled  to  drink, 

water  taken  from  holes  dug  in  the  filthy  ground  from 
eight  to  twelve  feet  deep  and  five  or  six  feet  across  the 
top,  some  of  which  have  steps  formed  from  the  dirt  on 
one  side  leading  down;  others,  dug  more  like  post  holes, 
are  called  wells;  really  but  mud-holes.  Water  is  obtain 
ed  from  these  by  a  string  tied  to  a  tin  cup  or  bucket. 
All  the  water  is  muddy.  A  pint  of  clear  water  I  never 
saw  on  the  island. 

"July  4th.  The  newsboys  are  crying,  ' Another 
great  battle!  Battle  at  Gettysburg!  General  Lee  holds 
his  ground!'  This  is  repeated  by  the  Richmond  En- 

23 


266  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [July, 

quirer,  which  some  of  the  boys  succeeded  in  obtaining 
at  the  nominal  sum  of  one  dollar.  It  gave  a  very  brief 
account  of  the  battle,  of  course  claiming  the  victory. 
This  was  the  first  news  we  had  received  from  the  outer 
world  since  our  entrance  into  prison. 

"July  5th.  An  officer,  with  a  guard,  enters  and 
searches  the  prisoners  and  the  grounds,  taking  from 
some  one  of  the  prisoners  a  gold  pen  and  pencil,  a  locket 
and  chain,  claiming  that  they  had  been  stolen,  and  that  he 
would  keep  them  till  they  were  called  for  by  the  owner. 

"July  6th.  One  thousand  prisoners  leave  the  island 
to-day  for  City  Point.  And  a  happy  set  they  were,  not 
withstanding  the  rain  was  falling  in  torrents.  This  was 
also  a  fortunate  event  for  us,  as  we  now  obtained  tents 
sheltering  us  from  the  storm.  The  rest  of  the  day  we 
spent  in  reading  our  bibles  and  prayer-books,  this  being 
about  all  the  reading  we  had. 

"July  7th.  Five  hundred  more  prisoners  have  been 
sent  on  their  way  rejoicing.  After  signing  the  parole, 
they  were  marched  over  to  the  city  to  take  cars  for  City 
Point.  Twenty-one  hundred  had  been  sent  away  since 
July  first,  to  say  nothing  of  those  who  had  been  sent  to 
their  long  and  last  resting  place.  These  last  averaged 
from  three  to  five  a  day — some  from  disease,  others  from 
starvation. 

"July  8th.  Quiet  on  the  island;  not  a  sound  is  heard 
>;i\e  the  beating  of  the  rain  against  our  tents,  which 
continues  throughout  the  day  and  night. 

"July  9th.  Were  it  riot  for  a  few  loaded  muskets  in 
the  hands  of  a  watchful  guard  we  might  be  tempted  to 
take  a  stroll  through  the  streets  of  Richmond,  to  enjoy 
once  more  the  luxury  of  pure  air.  But  fate  bids  other 
wise;  we  are  still  doomed  to  remain  in  a  place  wholly 
unfit  for  the  lowest  of  humanity. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  207 

"  July  10th.  We  see  in  the  distance  Jeff  Davis'  house, 
on  the  top  of  which  is  floating  the  rebel  flag.  There  is 
some  excitement  without,  and  there  is  a  guard  entering 
the  prison  grounds.  A  report  is  in  circulation  that  some 
of  the  prisoners  are  trying  to  escape  by  means  of  mining. 
The  guard  searches,  finds  nothing,  and  retires.  For 
once  at  least  the  rebels  were  foiled.  But  there  is  a 
double  guard  set  at  night,  with  orders  to  '  Shoot  any 
man  seen  walking  or  standing  within  the  camp  after 
nine  o'clock.' 

"July  llth.  The  burdens  of  prison  life  are  begin 
ning  to  weigh  heavily  upon  us.  Some  are  discouraged, 
having  given  up  all  hopes  of  ever  leaving  the  island. 
Others  are  still  looking  and  hoping  for  a  better  day. 
Sickness  is  daily  increasing,  and  the  sick  are  removed  ta 
the  hospital  outside.  Few  of  these,  if  any,  ever  returned. 
I  never  knew  of  but  one  case  where  medical  treatment 
was  given  to  a  prisoner  while  he  remained  within  tho 
stockade.  How  or  why  this  was  I  never  knew. 

"  July  12th.  Another  great  victory  for  the  Yankees; 
not,  however,  by  the  sword,  but  by  greenbacks,  which 
we  give  to  the  rebel  commissary,  and  he  in  return  gives 
us  some  extra  loaves  of  bread.  This  we  claim  as  a  vic 
tory,  and  a  grand  one  too,  as  it  has,  no  doubt,  saved 
many  lives.  The  extra  bread  desired  is  placed  in  the 
blanket,  while  the  money  is  paid  secretly  to  the  commis 
sary  while  the  rations  are  being  drawn.  This  art  was 
practised  for  a  long  time,  but  at  last  became  known  to 
the  authorities — not,  however,  until  the  commissary  had 
made  his  escape  with  a  large  sum  of  money. 

"July  13th.  Five  hundred  more  prisoners  have  been 
called  out,  and  about  midnight  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
more  were  sent  for;  this  perhaps  to  make  up  a  certain 
number. 


2G8  SABRES   ASTD   SPURS. 

"July  14th.  Of  the  five  thousand  prisoners  on  the 
island  July  first,  there  now  remain  only  about  fifteen 
hundred,  which  is  encouraging  to  those  of  us  who  are 
still  left  behind,  but  anxiously  watching  and  waiting  for 
our  time  to  come  when  we  can  bid  adieu  to  the  island  of 
prisoners,  and  stand  free  once  more  under  the  flag  of  our 
country — the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

"  July  15th.  The  changes  have  brought  together  most 
of  our  regiment,  who  have  been  scattered  through  the 
camp  in  nearly  every  tent  on  the  island,  making  it 
hitherto  almost  impossible  for  us  to  do  as  we  would  for 
those  who  are  sick. 

"July  16th.  After  going  through  the  morning  duties 
of  hunting  the  lice  from  our  clothing,  washing,  and  eat 
ing,  our  regiment  with  some  others  were  ordered  into 
line  and  counted  by  an  officer,  who  entered  the  prison 
grounds  with  his  usual  escort,  and  told  us  we  were  to 
leave  on  the  morrow — cheering  news.  A  few  happy 
hours  were  spent  in  speculating  on  the  events  of  the 
morrow. 

"July  17th.  Up  bright  and  early,  expecting  every 
moment  to  receive  the  order  for  our  deliverance.  Nine, 
ten  o'clock  comes — no  order  received;  twelve,  one,  two, 
four,  and  even  six,  and  still  no  order.  We  begin  to  lose 
all  hopes;  they  had  been  carried  to  the  extreme  height. 
Darkness  now  closes  around  us,  and  we  lay  ourselves 
down,  tired,  sleepy,  discouraged, 

"July  18th.  One  thousand  more  have  been  called  out 
to  sign  the  parole  and  bid  adieu  to  Belle  Island,  perhaps 
forever.  It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  our  feelings 
when  it  was  known  that  we  were  to  be  left.  Our  hearts 
sink  within  us  as  a  report  reaches  us  that  no  more  prison 
ers  are  to  be  sent  away  from  this  island.  This  was  a  day 
and  night  of  sadness  such  as  we  had  not  before  known. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  269 

"July  19fch.  Ten,  eleven,  twelve,  and  one  o'clock, 
and  we  have  nothing  to  eat.  They  tell  us  that  tents 
have  been  cut,  and  that  we  will  get  no  more  rations 
until  those  have  been  replaced,  or  the  offenders  brought 
to  justice.  But  the  soldierly  tie,  welded  by  the  heat  of 
battle,  could  not  be  broken.  So  the  information  they 
desired  remained  to  them  a  mystery.  The  day  passed, 
and  our  rations  came  not. 

"July  20th.  They  still  continue  to  punish  us,  giving 
us  nothing  until  about  two  o'clock,  when  they  send  in 
bread.  During  the  afternoon  seven  hundred  prisoners- 
arrived.  We  learned  from  them  that  they  were  captured 
at  Gettysburg  on  the  first,  second  and  third  days'  fight — 
this  being  the  first  news  of  the  real  result  of  the  battle 
we  had  received. 

"July  21st.  Seven  or  eight  hundred  more  prisoners 
arrived,  having  been  taken  at  the  same  place  as  those  of 
yesterday.  They  state  that  our  army  is  victorious,  and 
the  rebels  are  falling  back.  The  island  is  beginning  to 
fill  up  again,  looking  more  as  it  did  on  our  arrival. 

"  July  22d.  Another  thousand  has  been  added  to  the 
list  of .  prisoners  now  on  the  island;  and  they  say  there 
are  still  more  to  come.  Twenty-five  hundred  have  ar 
rived  in  three  days,  making  a  total  now  on  the  island  of 
about  thirty-one  hundred.  About  eight  o'clock  our 
regiment,  with  some  others,  was  ordered  into  line, 
counted  and  marched  to  the  city,  where  we  quartered  in 
an  old  building  on  America  street,  used  for  the  dispersing 
of  prisoners.  Here  we  remained  during  the  night. 
Sleep  was  out  of  the  question,  and  the  boys  now  let 
themselves  loose. 

"July  23d.     Early  this  morning  we  took  the  cars  for 
Petersburg;  from  thence  to  City  Point,  arriving  about 
eleven  o'clock.     Here,  for  the  first  time  since  June  18th, 
23* 


270  SABRES   AND    SPURS. 

we  beheld  the  Stars  and  Stripes  floating  in  the  breeze, 
seeming  to  welcome  us  as  we  approached.  Cheer  upon 
cheer  rent  the  air  as  we  beheld  the  boat  which  was  to 
convey  us  northward  and  to  a  land  of  plenty.  In  due 
time  we  were  marched  aboard.  All  things  being  in 
readiness,  the  good  old  boat  City  of  New  York  steamed 
down  the  James  Eiver.  Hot  coffee,  soft  bread,  and  cold 
ham  were  soon  prepared  in  plenty  for  every  man.  No 
more  scanty  rations,  bean  soup,  muddy  and  filthy  water 
forced  upon  us.  The  sick  were  provided  with  medical 
aid,  and  kind-hearted  women  with  ready  hands  nursed 
and  cared  for  them.  As  our  boat  passed  from  the  har 
bor,  we  turned  and  cast  one  farewell  glance  towards 
those  our  once  loved  comrades  now  sleeping  in  Southern 
graves. 

'•'July  24th.  At  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  we  arrived  at 
Annapolis,  Md.  Here  we  enjoyed  a  bath,  a  new  uniform 
throughout,  plenty  to  eat,  and  nice  quarters  in  which  to 
sleep.  How  overjoyed  we  were  to  again  set  foot  on 
Northern  soil;  to  see  the  dear  old  flag;  to  hear  our  loved 
national  airs  played  by  bands;  to  be  in  a  land  of  plenty; 
and,  above  all,  to  be  free  from  prison,  and  among  human 
beings,  to  receive  kind  words  and  smiles  from  men  and 
women  on  every  hand,  and  feel  that  we  had  a  Govern 
ment  worth  fighting  for." 


1863.]  PIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  271 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

REFITTING    AND    ADVANCING. 
JUNE— SEPTEMBER,  1863. 

ROM  our  interior  glance  at  the  Confederacy  we  now 
return  to  the  Federal  army  lines.  The  severe  bat 
tle  of  Middleburg,  from  which,  as  from  between  upper 
and  nether  millstones,  our  decimated  squadrons  cut  their 
way  through  the  enemy's  ranks  back  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  left  our  command  so  divided,  reduced  and 
scarred  that  we  were  unable  to  move  on  with  our  brigade 
in  the  van  of  General  Hooker  in  pursuit  of  Lee,  now 
dashing  forward  to  invade  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania. 

June  18th.  Colonel  Duffie,  with  a  handful  of  our 
command,  led  through  Hopewell  Gap,  reported  to  Gen 
eral  Hooker  at  Centreville.  Small  squads  that  had  run 
the  enemy's  lines  were  constantly  coming  in.  Our 
headquarters  were  immediately  ordered  to  Alexandria, 
where  our  saved  men  reported  in  a  few  days. 

June  21st.  In  the  afternoon,  Colonel  Duffie,  with 
four  officers,  sixteen  mounted  and  twelve  unmounted 
men,  reached  Alexandria,  and,  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
meeting  Captain  Baker,  said;  "Here  is  all  I  have  of  my 
fine  regiment.  I  obeyed  the  order.  We  went.  They 


272  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [Jlllie, 

cut  ine  up.  But  my  men  did  well;  they  fought  hard. 
I  saw  General  Hooker;  he  sent  me  here  to  recruit  and 
make  me  a  fine  regiment  once  more." 

June  22d.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  reached  the 
headquarters  with  about  eighty-seven  active  men  for 
duty.  Major  Farrington,  with  two  officers  and  twenty- 
seven  men,  reported  on  the  same  day.  The  temporary 
camp  was  a  little  south  of  the  city,  near  the  river.  All 
officers  and  men  who  had  been  on  detached  service  in 
different  parts  of  the  army — save  a  few  too  far  away  to 
be  reached — were  now  returned  to  headquarters  to  re 
store  as  far  as  possible  the  gallant  old  command;  and 
soon  we  had  a  roll  again  of  about  three  hundred  and 
fifty  men. 

June  23d.  In  consideration  of  his  superior  cavalry 
abilities,  Colonel  Duffie  was  appointed  Brigadier-General 
of  Volunteers  in  the  cavalry  arm,  and  011  June  26th  re 
ceived  a  leave  of  absence  and  went  to  New  York.  His 
record  of  a  year  with  us,  for  ability,  tact,  bravery,  anji 
every  soldierly  quality,  had  greatly  endeared  him  to  us, 
and  he  will  ever  be  held  in  grateful,  honorable  remem 
brance  by  us.  For  our  efficiency  and  good  name  in  the 
field  we  Avere  largely  indebted  to  him.  Under  its  proper 
date  we  shall  present  the  last  official  paper  given  to  us 
from  his  hand. 

Much  was  now  said  respecting  our  going  home  to  re 
cruit,  and  for  a  while  the  prospect  was  favorable.  Gen 
erals  Hooker  and  Pleasanton  gave  their  consent,  provided 
we  did  not  muster  over  three  hundred  men.  The  men 
on  detached  service  having  been  called  in,  and  the  "  bum 
mers  " — as  we  called  them — who  had  been  hanging  up 
in  hospitals  at  Washington  and  Alexandria,  hearing  the 
good  news  of  a  homeward  look,  rejoining  us,  swelled  the 
number  on  our  roll  to  mo*re  than  three  hundred.  So 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  273 

our  thoughts  of  seeing  home  were  scattered  to  the  winds. 
A  word  of  these  "bummers,"  of  which  every  regiment 
in  the  service  had  at  least  a  few;  for  there  must  be  chaff 
with  the  wheat.  Of  course  these  shirks  were  scorned  by 
the  true  men  who  met  their  work  and  stood  bravely  to  it 
on  the  front.  But,  after  all,  true  bravery  is  partly — in 
deed,  largely — an  inherited  quality.  Such  as  have  it  not 
may  have  correct  sentiments,  but  they  are  really  made 
sick  in  the  presence  of  the  flames  of  battle. 

Of  the  thoughts  indulged  by  some  of  our  good  men> 
when  contrasting  our  experiences  on  the  front  with  the 
life  of  soldiers  in  garrison  and  the  comforts  of  home,  we 
will  let  our  excellent  bugler,  Sargent,  speak  from  his 
journal: 

"While  stationed  here  we  often  visited  Alexandria,, 
and  sometimes,  when  we  returned  to  camp,  would  feel 
blue,  thinking  of  so  many  having  fine  houses  and  all  the 
comforts  of  life,  while  we  were  in  our  small  tents — a 
frail  shelter  from  Virginia  storms — with  the  ground  for 
a  bed.  But  it  is  glorious  to  have  a  country  worth  suffer 
ing  for.  We  were  often  visited  by  the  young  secesh  and 
their  girls,  who  came  to  hear  our  Yankee  band  play  in 
the  quiet  summer  evenings.  We  also  had  occasional 
visits  from  the  men  doing  garrison  duty  in  the  forts 
around  Washington  and  Alexandria.  They  came  with 
blacked  boots  and  paper  collars,  looking  as  though  they 
had  just  come  out  of  a  bandbox.  They  have  good  bar 
racks,  clean  clothes,  and  plenty  of  rations,  and  probably 
think  a  soldier's  life  a  gay  one." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  now  came  to  the  full 
command  of  the  regiment,  and  he  was  equal  to  his  work. 
We  were  confident  we  had  the  man  and  soldier  at  our 
head  able  to  direct  and  lead  us  in  any  emergency. 

June  27th.     Our  band  paid  General  Slough,  the  Mili- 


274  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

tary  Governor  of  Alexandria,  the  compliments  of  a  sere 
nade.  We  were  steadily  recovering  from  the  bruises  of 
battle. 

June  29th.  We  moved  to  Washington  and  encamped 
at  the  head  of  Fourteenth  street,  where  we  remained  till 
July  3d,  and  where,  happily  for  us,  we  were  visited  by 
the  always  welcome  Paymaster,  who  paid  us  to  July  1st. 
'  July  3d.  We  again  moved  back  to  Alexandria,  to  be 
ready  at  the  call  of  bugles  to  again  try  our  fortune  on 
the  front  and  cross  once  more  our  sabres  with  the  foe. 

July  4th.  The  celebration  of  this  day  was  wonder 
fully  animated  and  enthusiastic.  The  Stars  and  Stripes 
exulted  in  the  winds  of  heaven,  and  all  the  guns  in  all 
the  forts  boomed  out  our  joy  and  the  joy  of  the  nation 
for  the  great  victory  of  Gettysburg. 

General  Meade,  who  succeeded  General  Hooker  on  the 
28th  of  June,  brought  the  flushed  Confederates  to  action 
at  Gettysburg  on  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  of  July— hot  and 
sanguinary  battles — when  haughty  Lee  received  his  de 
served  and  awful  punishment,  and  was  hurled  back 
towards  Richmond  covered  with  wounds.  In  this  mem 
orable  contest  each  army  counted  about  one  hundred 
thousand  men.  The  Federal  loss  was  two  thousand, 
eight  hundred  and  thirty-four  killed,  thirteen  thousand, 
seven  hundred  and  ninety  wounded,  and  six  thousand, 
six  hundred  and  forty-three,  missing.  The  loss  of  the 
Confederates  was  four  thousand,  five  hundred  killed 
and  buried  by  the  Union  soldiers,  twenty-six  thousand, 
five  hundred  wounded  and  left  in  the  hands  of  our 
army,  and  thirteen  thousand,  six  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  taken  prisoners,  with  forty-one  standards  and  twenty- 
four  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  seventy-eight  stands  of 
arms. 

Though  our  regiment,  as  such,  was  precluded  from 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  275 

sharing  in  this  tremendous  conflict,  yet  we  were  repre 
sented  in  the  hottest  of  the  fire,  and  some  of  our  heroic 
blood  was  poured  out  on  that  historic  field.  Two  of  our 
men,  who  had  not  been  returned  to  our  headquarters 
after  the  battle  of  Middleburg,  but  remained  with  the 
body  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  as  orderlies  at  the 
headquarters  of  the  Third  Corps,  were  in  the  battle  and 
fell  July  2d;  these  were  C.  H.  Clement  and  E.  F.  More, 
of  Troop  L. 

After  Lee  received  his  merited  chastisement  at  Gettys 
burg  he  hastened  back  with  all  possible  celerity  through 
the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  the  gaps  of  the  Blue  Ridge 
to  the  banks  of  the  Rapidan.  Meade  pushed  on  east  of 
the  mountains  in  hope  of  overtaking  him  and  possibly 
cutting  him  off  from  Richmond. 

July  6th.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson,  with  Cap 
tains  Gould  and  Thayer  and  ninety-three  men,  started 
to  join  the  army  of  Meade  in  pursuit  of  Lee.  Marching 
to  Tennallytown  they  bivouacked  for  the  night,  and  the 
next  day  moved  to  near  Frederick  City. 

July  8th.  Passing  through  Frederick,  and  about  two 
miles  beyond,  they  reported  to  Colonel  Hervey.  com 
manding  a  brigade  of  cavalry.  Here  they  remained  two 
days,  drawing  their  first  rations  since  leaving  Alexandria, 
having  subsisted  upon  the  country  on  their  way. 

July  10th.  Passing  through  Funkstown  and  Jones' 
Cross  Roads,  where  they  had  a  sharp  skirmish  with  the 
rebels,  they  reached  Boonesboro. 

July  13th.  Marching  to  Falling  Waters  and  finding 
that  the  rebel  army  had  crossed  the  Potomac  at  this  point, 
and  so  escaped  into  the  valley,  they  turned  back,  and  on 
the  16th  reached  Bolivar  Heights,  near  Harper's  Ferry. 
Here  they  remained  a  week,  making  occasional  scouts  and 
exchanging  a  few  compliments  with  the  rebel  cavalry. 


276  SABRES   AND   SPIERS.  [July, 

July  22d.  They  left  Bolivar  Heights  and  by  circuit 
ous  routes,  always  required  of  scouting  parties,  traversed 
Loudon  and  the  upper  part  of  Fauquier  County,  reaching 
Catlett  Station  on  the  28th. 

On  this  march,  Frank  P.  Ray  (Troop  C)  was  captured 
by  Mosby's  guerrillas,  who,  after  robbing  him  of  his 
clothes,  watch,  and  eighty  dollars,  paroled  him  and  al 
lowed  him  to  find  his  way  back  to  the  Union  lines  as 
best  he  could.  He  reached  our  lines  at  Centreville. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  and  our  men  were  now 
constantly  in  motion,  scouting  through  the  country, 
hardly  taking  time  to  eat  or  sleep,  until  about  the  15th  of 
August,  when  they  encamped  on  the  road  from  Warren- 
ton  to  Sulphur  Springs,  where  afterwards  they  were  joined 
by  Major  Farrington  and  his  portion  of  the  regiment. 

Returning  in  our  record  to  July  6th,  at  Alexandria, 
we  would  mention  that  our  band  went  to  Washington 
and  serenaded  General  Duffie  at  the  National  Hotel. 

July  9th.  We  moved  our  camp  nearer  the  river  for 
the  advantages  of  water  for  our  horses. 

July  15th.  Had  peculiar  advantages  and  disadvan 
tages  of  water.  Had  one  of  the  severest  thunder-showers 
and  tempests  we  had  ever  experienced;  the  lightning 
struck  back  of  our  tents,  and  the  rain  fell  in  torrents. 
We  will  let  Sargent  speak  of  his  experience: 

"  George  and  I  sat,  each  at  his  end  of  the  tent,  hold 
ing  on  to  the  poles  to  keep  our  tenement  from  capsizing; 
but  pretty  soon  a  young  hurricane  came,  and  down  goes 
our  house  in  the  hardest  of  the  storm.  We  found  our 
selves  sitting  on  the  ground  looking  at  each  other,  and 
thought  the  only  thing  we  could  do  was  to  grin  and  bear 
it.  The  storm  made  us  look  like  drowned  rats,  besides 
soaking  our  blankets,  spoiling  our  writing  materials  and 
rations. " 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  277 

July  16th.  Captain  Baker,  with  ninety  men,  was  sent 
to  keep  clear  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  re 
porting  to  General  Rufus  King  at  Centreville.  On  the 
20th,  he  moved  to  Union  Mills  to  protect  the  bridge 
across  Bull  Run,  near  Manassas  Junction,  which  was 
now  the  outpost  station  of  the  defenses  of  Washington. 
On  the  27th,  he  and  his  force  were  sent  to  Centreville, 
from  which  point  they  were  engaged  in  scout  duty,  keep 
ing  a  sharp  lookout  for  the  famous  guerrilla  band  under 
Mosby.  By  the  way,  most  of  the  scouting  was  done  in 
the  night. 

Captain  Vose  and  his  men  were  again  on  detached 
duty.  This  almost  perpetual  separation  of  our  com 
mand  was  consequent  upon  the  nature  of  our  arm  of  the 
service  and  the  pressing  demands  of  the  army. 

Major  Fan-in gton  was  left  in  command  of  the  camp — 
Camp  Wyndham — with  about  one  hundred  of  our  men 
tind  fragments  of  other  regiments,  amounting  to  about 
four  thousand  men,  some  mounted  and  some  dismount 
ed,  all  recuperating  and  refitting.  Over  fifty  of  our  regi 
ment  had  now  been  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps — one 
of  the  plain  evidences  of  the  severities  through  which  we 
had  passed.  It  will  readily  be  understood  that,  in  our 
arm  of  the  service,  in  such  a  war  as  we  were  waging,  with 
such  an  enemy  on  their  own  grounds,  the  varied  duties, 
fatigues,  exposures,  loss  of  sleep,  lack  of  food,  and  con 
stant  skirmishes,  raids  and  battles,  must  be  very  exhaust 
ing,  and  that  only  the  soundest,  most  robust  and  cour 
ageous  men  could  meet  the  ordeal  successfully.  These 
severities,  impossible  to  be  depicted  on  paper,  were  deeply 
impressed  on  our  nerves  and  bones. 

The  following  communication  officially  signalizes  the 
recovery  of  our  regimental  silk  standard,  lost,  as  we  sup 
posed,  when  the  gallant  color-bearer  was  overpowered 
24 


278  SABEES    AND    SPURS. 

and  taken  prisoner,  but  returned  in  his  bosom  when  lie 
escaped  from  the  enemy: 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  REGIMENT  RHODE  ISLAND  CAVALRY,  ) 
CAMP  WTNDHAM,  Va.,  July  17,  1863.      j 
[GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  30.] 

The  commanding  officer  takes  this  occasion  to  congratulate  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  on  the  return 
of  the  flag  presented  to  them  by  the  ladies  of  Providence. 

After  the  brilliant  charge  in  the  wheat  field  near  Middleburg, 
Va.,  June  18,  1863,  our  gallant  color-bearer,  Sergeant  George  A. 
Bobbins,  convinced  that  our  position  was  almost  hopeless,  sur 
rounded  as  we  were  by  overwhelming  numbers  of  the  enemy,  re 
moved  the  flag  from  its  staff,  was  taken  prisoner,  and  effected  his 
escape,  after  eight  days'  captivity. 

Let  us  not  forget  that  for  the  preservation  of  this  flag,  dearer 
than  life  itself  to  every  soldier's  heart,  we  are  indebted  to  the 
coolness,  presence  of  mind,  and  invincible  determination  of  Ser 
geant  Robbins.  May  he  live  long  to  enjoy  the  honor  he  has  so 
nobly  won. 

By  command  of 

JOHN  ROGERS, 
Captain  Commanding  Regiment. 
GEORGE  W.  EASTERBROOKS, 

Lieutenant  and  Acting  Adjutant. 

We  here  add,  with  both  pride  and  regret,  the  last  offi 
cial  paper  addressed  to  us  by  our  former  commander, 
now  promoted  to  a  higher  grade  and  broader  field : 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  July  18,  1863. 
To  the  officers  and  men  of  tJie  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry: 

In  bidding  farewell  to  my  old  regiment,  I  do  so  with  sentiments 
of  unfeigned  pain  and  grief  at  being  obliged  to  sever  a  connection 
which  has  been  at  once  my  pride  and  honor  to  have  held  from  its 
commencement  to  this  moment,  bearing,  as  it  does,  no  personal 
unkindness  to  forgive,  no  private  grief  to  be  assuaged,  on  my 
part;  and  may  I  be  allowed  the  pleasurable  hope  of  the  same  im 
munity  from  yourselves. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  279 

I  leave  you,  satisfied  of  your  high  resolve  to  be  worthy  of  the 
reputation  you  have  earned  upon  many  a  hard  fought  field.  But 
remember  that,  in  the  great  school  of  war,  every  man  is  weighed 
and  tested  by  the  touchstone  of  daily  truth,  and  is  valued  at  what 
he  is  actually  worth.  Success  reflects  not  backwards  to  the  indi 
vidual,  only  so  far  as  he  has  positively  contributed  to  that  suc 
cess.  As  the  aggregation  of  goodness  in  a  community  uepends 
upon  the  individual  virtues  of  its  members,  so  the  effectiveness 
of  any  military  organization  depends  upon  the  individual  per 
formance  of  its  duties. 

Heroic  courage,  based  upon  pure  motives,  becomes,  in  devotion 
to  country,  sublime.  Let  yours  not  fall  sliort  of  this  high  stand 
ard.  The  proud  consciousness  that  he  has  not  only  done  his 
duty,  but  has  done  it  cheerfully,  with  willing  heart  and  hand,  is 
to  the  soldier  a  full  recompense  for  all  the  sacrifices,  hardships, 
and  privations  he  has  borne  in  the  defense  of  his  country's  flag, 
her  institutions,  and  her  laws;  and  be  assured  that  the  solace  of 
life  shall  be  in  saying,  "I,  too,  was  a  faithful  defender  of  my 
country's  integrity  during  the  most  infamous  rebellion  that  ever 
blotted  the  fair  page  of  a  nation's  history." 

I  bid  you  an  affectionate  farewell. 

A.  N.  DUFFIE,  Brigadier-General. 

Thus  officially,  but  never  in  heart,  we  parted  from  the 
gallant  son  of  France,  who,  like  Lafayette  in  our  coun 
try's  first  great  struggle,  lent  us  the  warmth  of  his  heart, 
the  fire  of  his  spirit,  and  the  strength  of  his  arm,  and 
who  to-day  worthily  bears  the  commission  of  our  Govern 
ment  as  our  consul  in  Cadiz,  Spain. 

Our  able,  efficient,  and  esteemed  Quartermaster,  Charles 
A.  Leonard,  was  now  detached  from  duty  with  the  regi 
ment  and  accompanied  General  Duffie  in  his  command 
in  the  Department  of  West  Virginia,  acting  as  Quarter 
master  on  the  General's  staff.  In  his  stead,  Lieutenant 
Hebron  H.  Steere  was  detailed  as  acting  Quartermaster 
of  the  regiment,  and  successfully  filled  that  position  until 
the  close  of  the  war. 

About  this  time  eighteen  new  recruits  were  gladly  re- 


280  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [August, 

ceived,  and  we  were  encouraged  to  think  that  our  ranks 
might  yet  be  largely  increased  by  the  following  official 
letter: 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  ) 
PROVIDENCE,  July  20,  1863.      j 
Colonel  : 

I  have  authority  from  the  War  Department  to  assign  all  drafted 
men  of  our  Sta«te  to  the  Rhode  Island  regiments  in  the  field,  and 
the  whole  number  to  be  drafted— two  thousand,  eight  hundred 
and  eighty — will  allow  me  to  assign  to  your  regiment  two  hun 
dred  and  thirty-six,  or  pro  rata,  if  a  less  number  is  procured  by 
the  draft;  and  you  will  please  be  prepared  to  receive  them  soon, 
as  I  anticipate  they  will  be  ready  to  join  you  in  three  weeks. 
*  *  *  *  ****** 

Very  truly, 

JAMES  Y.  SMITH, 

Governor  of  Rhode  Island. 

On  the  strength  of  this  communication,  Captain  Bliss 
and  Lieutenant  Darling  were  sent,  August  llth,  to  the 
draft  rendezvous  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  but  no  recruits 
were  received  until  the  spring  of  1865. 

August  3d.  The  headquarters  of  the  regiment,  under 
Major  Farrington,  left  Alexandria  for  the  front  and 
joined  as  soon  as  possible  the  detachment  under  Lieuten 
ant-Colonel  Thompson,  between  Warrenton  and  Sulphur 
Springs.  The  same  day,  Major  W.  II.  Turner  and 
Lieutenant  Barnard  Ellis  were  detailed  for  special  duty 
in  the  Cavalry  Bureau. 

August  17th.  Captain  Baker  with  his  detachment, 
from  Centreville,  joined  the  regiment  near  Warrenton. 
The  parts  of  the  command  were  now  again  together, 
and  we  were  attached  to  Colonel  Mclntosh's  brigade,  in 
Gregg's  division. 

Again  commenced  severe  service  on  the  front.  The 
armies  of  Lee  and  Meade  were  watchfully,  anxiously 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  281 

confronting  each  other,  with  the  north  Rappahannock, 
for  a  time,  as  the  line  of  separation.  We  were  kept  on 
picket  duty — always  responsible  and  taxing — and  sent  on 
long  scouts,  often  beyond  the  Rappahannock  into  Cul- 
pepper  County,  and  over  the  mountains  to  the  right  of 
our  army,  not  unfrequently  exchanging  solid  sentiments 
with  the  mounted  "gray  backs."  The  hard  work,  by 
day  and  night  so  unceasing,  told  strongly  on  men  and 
horses;  but  though  the  flesh  was  weak  the  spirit  was 
willing.  All  the  feeling  and  probing  of  the  Confederate 
front  and  the  consequent  skirmishing  fell  upon  the 
mounted  forces. 

August  28th.  Our  regiment,  with  the  First  Mas 
sachusetts  and  Sixth  Ohio,  under  command  of  Colonel 
H.  B.  Sargent  (First  Massachusetts),  crossed  the  Rappa 
hannock,  and  pushing  on  formed  an  outpost  at  Orleans. 
Alert  for  observation,  defense,  or  attack,  one-half  of  the 
command  was  continually  in  their  saddles,  and  the  re 
mainder  held  themselves  in  readiness  for  horse  at  the 
sound  of  the  bugles.  Rebel  detachments  and  guerrilla 
bands  were  nearly  all  around  us.  Lee's  main  body  had 
evidently  fallen  back  to  the  Rapidan.  We  were  sent  out 
on  reconnoissances  to  the  various  gaps  of  the  Bull  Run 
Mountains  and  among  the  spurs  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The 
different  regiments  thus  employed  lost  about  seventy-five 
men  in  killed,  wounded,  and  captured;  we  fortunately 
were  exempt  from  losses  of  this  kind  at  this  time. 

September  4th.  We  were  relieved  from  this  outpost 
service  and  allowed  a  few  days  of  needed  rest  with  the 
cavalry  corps,  now  near  Warrenton. 

John  Kenyon  (Troop  A)  while  bathing  was  drowned 

near  Alexandria  August  28th.     Francis  Buckley  (Troop 

H)  was  accidentally  shot  August  29th,  and  afterwards 

died.     John  Conlin  (Troop  G),  a  paroled  prisoner,  died 

24* 


282 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 


at  Parole  Camp,  Annapolis,  September  7th.     Thus  death, 
in  various  ways,  was  ever  busy  on  our  rolls. 

Though  we  purpose  adhering  to  our  original  design  of 
giving  simply  the  life  and  experiences  of  our  command,, 
instead  of  any  general  account  of  the  great  struggle  in 
•which  we  were  engaged,  yet  we  are  here  tempted  to  be 
sufficiently  episodical  to  mention  two  remarkable  and 
deeply  significant  events  belonging  near  this  time,— the 
Federal  Thanksgiving  and  the  Confederate  Fast  Day— 
as  they  happily  indicate  the  great  current  and  drift  of 
affairs  in  the  mighty  contest.  The  fourth  of  July  had 
been  providentially  signalized  by  the  victory  at  Helena, 
the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  and  Lee's  retreat  from  Get 
tysburg.  These  facts,  taken  in  connection  with  other 
great  Union  successes  and  the  rising  spirit  of  the  nation, 
prompted  Mr.  Lincoln  to  appoint  the  6th  of  August  as  a 
day  of  national  thanksgiving  and  praise.  The  same 
facts,  bearing  so  heavily  on  the  rebellion,  together  with 
the  steadily  decreasing  resources  and  waning  spirit  of 
the  insurgents,  induced  Jeff  Davis  to  appoint  August 
21st  for  the  Confederacy  as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting, 
and  prayer.  We  shall  be  pardoned,  we  trust,  if,  in  speak 
ing  of  these  contrasted  appointments,  we,  for  the  sake  of 
point  and  color,  resort  to  off-hand  measures — a  little  in 
the  style  of  cross  sabres. 

THE    FEDERAL    THANKSGIVING. 

As  Abraham  of  old,  when  called 
To  save  his  kin  and  land  enthralled, 
Successful  smote  the  ruthless  foe, 
Redeemed  his  kindred,  and  anew 
To  God  gave  thanks;  so  Abraham 
With  us,  when  roll  on  roll  of  drum 
Announced  repeated  victory, 
Bade  all  the  land  thanksgiving  pay. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  283 

Recognition  how  fit;  consecration  how  just 
To  the  will  of  Jehovah,  our  buckler  and  trust, 
Who  girds  for  the  battle  the  loins  of  the  free,- 
And  prospers  the  right  by  his  holy  decree ; 
Who  tempers  with  courage,  but  never  with  hate, 
His  children  to  cherish  the  temple  of  State. 

Hence  the  sons  of  the  sires  who  the  wilderness  trod,, 
Free  planting  this  land  for  the  service  of  God, 
As  the  ranks  of  rebellion  discomfited  reeled, 
And  our  battle-tried  banner  advanced  on  the  field, 
Their  tribute  of  thankfulness  lifted  on  high 
To  the  Ruler  commanding  the  earth  and  the  sky. 

Historic  hour!  devout  uprose 

A  nation's  anthem,  with  its  vows. 

The  earth  its  summer  incense  lent; 

The  listening  skies  benignant  bent; 

From  hill,  and  vale,  and  humblest  dwelling> 

Full  as  the  anthem  of  the  sea, 
Arose  from  loyal  bosoms  swelling, 

The  glad  Te  Deum  of  the  free ! 

HYMN. 

Great  God,  whose  throne  is  law  and  light, 
Whose  sceptre  is  unbounded  might, 
Whose  love  reflects  all  worlds  among, — 
Thy  signal  mercies  are  our  song. 

The  nations  rise,  the  nations  fall, 
As  they  regard  Thy  holy  call; 
Though  treasons  lift  the  bloody  sword, 
They  die  when  Thou  dost  speak  the  word. 

Thy  goodness  crowns  our  fruitful  land; 
In  Thy  great  strength  our  armies  stand; 
Thy  banner  floats  above  the  free 
Who  sacrifice  for  truth  and  Thee. 

Our  praise  accept  for  mercies  past ; 
Thy  shield  around  our  country  cast; 
Ordain  this  land  to  be  Thy  own, 
And  in  our  hearts  Thy  Spirit  throne. 


SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

THE    REBEL    FAST    DAY. 

Alas !  too  oft  in  pomp  are  seen 
The  synagogues  of  wicked  men. 
Beside  the  Lord  of  earth  and  skies 
A  traitor  walked  in  dark  disguise. 
So,  bloody  men  assume,  at  times, 
The  garb  of  heaven,  to  hide  their  crimes. 

The  traitor  Jeff,  in  doubts  deep  cast, 

Proclaimed  through  rebeldom  a  Fast : — 

Perhaps  we  ought  to  say  a  farce, 

Since  sacredness  was  there  so  scarce, 

For  many  scoffed,  and  spurned  the  day, 

Averring  that  to  fast  and  pray 

Was  Puritanic  heresy 

Of  Praise-God-Barebones  history, 

Fond  cherished  on  New  England's  hills, 

That  region  of  debasing  ills, 

Where  culminates  all  sin  and  curse 

And  prospers  nothing  chivalrous. 

Hence  hasting  through,  in  briefest  sentence 

Their  formula  of  mock  repentance, 

They  raised  to  heaven  their  selfish  pleas,— 

Recounting  their  necessities. 

Their  first  and  most  intense  petition 

Pertained  to  foreign  recognition, 

As  those  cry  "  Help  ! "  whose  bark  draws  near 

The  brink  of  dread  Niagara; 

Then  prayed  for  blankets  for  their  backs 

And  rations  in  their  haversacks; 

For  sabres,  pistols,  powder,  guns, 

Canteens,  shirts,  jackets,  pantaloons, 

Rams,  steamers,  ships,  to  form  a  fleet, 

Boots,  stockings,  shoes,  to  shield  their  feet, 

Shawls,  bonnets,  dresses,  hose  and  gloves 

For  Mrs.  Davis  and  their  loves, 

Rum,  whisky,  sherry  cobblers,  gin, 

Tea,  coffee,  pepper,  medicine, 

Cars,  engines,  bridges,  railroad  tracks, 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  285 

Mules,  oxen,  horses,  beeves,  and  blacks, 
Sheet  iron,  copper,  credit,  gold, 
New  scrip  to  cover  up  the  old, 
Fresh  troops  infected  with  the  itch 
To  perish  in  the  final  ditch: — 
In  fact,  their  lips  could  not  disclose 
The  half  of  all  their  wants  and  woes; 
So,  closing  up,  they  cursed  the  Feds, 
But  blessed  their  brother  copperheads. 


286  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September,. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

BATTLE     NEAR     RAPIDAN     STATION. 
SEPTEMBER,  1863. 

>HE  great  armies  in  the  east  and  in  the  west  were1 
constantly  surging  into  lines  of  battle.  General 
Meade  obtained  information  that  Lee,  trusting  to  the 
strength  of  his  defenses  on  the  Rapidan,  had  sent  Long- 
street's  corps  to  aid  the  Confederates  in  Tennessee.  This 
determined  him  to  make  an  advance  and  feel  of  Lee's 
front. 

September  12th.  The  cavalry,  as  always,  was  put  in 
the  van  of  the  movement.  We  advanced  about  three 
days  prior  to  the  moving  of  the  main  force.  Our  regi 
ment  had  its  usual  post  of  honor.  As  we  passed  the 
infantry  camps  we  were  saluted  thus,  "  Going  to  pick  a 
fuss?  "  "  Stir  them  up! "  "  There  goes  the  cavalry;  now 
we  shall  have  to  move;  now  there  will  be  music."  We 
crossed  the  Rappahannock,  and  at  night  bivouacked  near 
Jefferson. 

September  13th.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  we 
met  the  enemy's  skirmishers  near  Hazel  Run,  and  were 
constantly  engaged  with  them  as  they  sullenly  fell  back 
before  us  to  Culpepper,  where  we  made  a  short  halt. 
General  Kilpatrick  came  up  and,  passing  through  the 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  287 

town,  proceeded  to  the  left  near  Poney  Mountain  and 
Raccoon  Ford.  We  advanced  by  the  road  leading  towards 
€edar  Mountain,  and  when  about  four  miles  from  the 
town  again  engaged  the  enemy,  who,  after  exhibiting 
some  pugnacity,  accepted  the  better  part  of  valor  under 
the  pressing  circumstances,  and  retired.  We  followed 
them  at  a  lively  pace  till  nightfall,  when  we  were  again 
visited  by  a  splendid  Virginia  thunder-storm.  Amid 
darkness,  rain,  and  wind,  came  the  order  to  hold  up  in 
our  pursuit  and  lead  into  a  forest,  with  as  little  noise  as 
possible,  keeping  our  spurs  and  sabres  ready  for  remount 
at  a  moment's  signal.  Drenched  and  weary  as  we  were, 
we  studied  anew  the  variations  of  the  cavalry  arm  in  war. 
We  were  accustomed,  however,  to  this  kind  of  Virginia 
hospitality.  Exactly  where  we  were,  or  where  was  our 
game  of  "gray  backs,"  we  did  not  now  know.  If  "  ig 
norance  is  bliss  "  at  any  time,  it  certainly  is  not  in  war 
time  to  men  on  the  front. 

September  14th.  With  the  dawn,  we  were  belted  and 
in  our  saddles  again,  with  our  faces  towards  the  Rapidan. 
Passing  Cedar  Mountain,  we  found  abundant  evidence 
of  the  hurried  retreat  of  the  foe — here  lay  quantities  of 
abandoned  ammunition,  there  a  caisson,  yonder  a  bag 
gage  wagon,  around  the  way  exhausted  horses, — rem 
nants  of  a  fleeing,  panic-stricken  force.  Our  division 
halted  at  Mitchell's  Station,  about  two  miles  from  Rapi 
dan  Ford.  Immediately  our  regiment,  with  the  Sixth 
Ohio  and  First  Massachusetts,  under  Colonel  Sargent, 
were  ordered  to  advance  to  the  ford  and  ascertain  what 
force  the  enemy  had  in  that  locality.  In  reaching  the 
ford,  the  last  portion  of  ground  to  be  passed  was  a  sloping 
field  or  plain  about  half  a  mile  in  width.  On  the  other 
side  of  the  river  was  a  like  slope,  only  with  more  angle. 

Moving  from  the  road  into  the  plain  skirting  the  Rapi- 


288  '  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

dan,  we  had  hardly  formed  a  line  when  we  were  greeted 
with  a  severe  artillery  fire,  raking  our  flanks  and  striking 
our  front.  The  missiles  came  from  the  whole  line  of 
ridge  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  one  battery 
was  posted  on  this  side  of  the  stream,  so  protected  by  a 
fence  as  to  make  it  impossible  for  us  to  successfully  charge 
upon  it.  Moreover,  the  force  supporting  it  was  superior 
to  our  own.  This  was  a  griping  situation.  We  were 
powerless  to  achieve  anything.  Against  artillery,  so 
strongly  posted,  pistols  and  sabres  were  insufficient;  we 
could  only  hold  our  line,  as  we  did,  by  sitting  in  our 
saddles  and  stubbornly  accepting  the  galling  fire.  Could 
we  have  advanced  or  fired,  our  attention  at  least  would 
have  been  diverted  from  our  sufferings;  for  inaction  in 
battle  is  always  terrible.  Our  trial  of  courage  and  feel 
ings  at  this  time  can  be  imagined  only  by  those  who  have 
been  similarly  situated.  Shot  and  shell  were  rained  upon 
and  around  us.  Many  were  wounded;  nearly  all  had 
portions  of  clothing  and  equipments  cut  by  the  angry 
shot  and  fragments  of  the  screeching  shells.  The  fire 
was  maintained  without  abatement  from  two  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  till  dark.  Certainly  troops  were  never  put 
in  a  more  trying  position. 

Thirteen  of  our  command  were  wounded:  Edwin  A. 
Kelly  (A),  arm;  George  Falker  (A),  foot;  Jeremiah 
Coughlan  (A),  shoulder;  Sergeant  Martin  L.  Carey  (C), 
arm;  Patrick  Macanny  (D);  Thomas  H.  Peck  (F),  hand; 
Adjutant  G.  W.  Easterbrooks,  severe  shell  wound  in  face; 
Adelbert  Von  Gladis  (G);  Carl  Smart  (H);  George  L. 
Clarke  (H);  Charles  A.  Hockberg  (H);  Warren  W.  Love- 
joy  (L),  arm  (amputated),  and  thigh  and  back;  Clarence 
B.  Sanborn  (M),  arm  (amputated). 

Night,  benignant  night,  hovering  down  and  hushing 
the  wrathful  guns,  we  picketed  the  field  with  our  men 


1863.  J  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  289 

dismounted,  and  advanced  our  line  towards  the  river. 
The  rebels  advanced  their  picket  line  to  within  a  few 
yards  of  ours — quite  as  neighborly  as  we  cared  to  have 
them.  Of  necessity,  the  night  was  passed  without  sleep, 
save  such  "  cat  naps  "  as  fatigue  induced  to  some  in  their 
sitting  posture. 

September  15th.  We  were  relieved  from  our  position 
and  rejoined  our  division  at  Cedar  Mountain.  As  we 
moved  back  and  met  the  Second  Corps,  we  were  greeted 
as  follows:  "  You  found  them ;  had  a  right  smart  time!  " 
"  Did  you  see  many  secesh?"  "Is  there  a  right  smart 
heap  of  them  down  there?" 

September  17th.  Under  this  date,  as  we  afterwards 
learned,  Samuel  W.  Leighton  (Troop  I),  a  paroled  pris 
oner,  died  at  Parole  Camp,  Annapolis,  Md. 

September  18th.  The  infantry  having  corne  and  taken 
the  front  we  had  left,  we  were  ordered  to  a  valley  west  of 
Culpepper,  where,  for  rest  and  refreshment,  we  encamped 
in  the  woods. 

September  20th.  General  Meade's  general  orders  were 
read  to  the  command,  congratulating  the  first  brigade  on 
its  conduct  in  the  engagements  of  the  past  few  days,  as 
one  of  the  honorable  chapters  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac  and  of  the  war.  We  had  handsomely  pushed  the 
Confederates  beyond  the  Rapidan.  In  this  compliment 
we  felt  especial  pride,  as  we  were  one  of  the  four  regi 
ments  composing  the  brigade,  and  one  of  three  assigned 
to  the  bold  and  perilous  duty  that  had  won  the  honors. 

It  may  here  properly  be  stated  that  the  First  Mas 
sachusetts,  the  Sixth  Ohio,  and  the  First  Rhode  Island 
Cavalry  were  always  fraternal  commands  and  particular 
favorites  in  each  other's  eyes.  They  were  proud  to  stand 
by  each  other,  and  always  stood  firmly.  Their  records 
are  interwoven  by  golden  threads  of  true  deeds  and 
25 


290  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

manly  affections.  When  together  in  any  movement, 
one  might  predict  a  good  time,  save  to  the  enemy. 
Truer  men  never  wore  spurs  and  drew  sabres.  It  was 
felt  by  our  military  authorities  that  these  three  com 
mands  could  always  be  counted  upon  when  hard  and 
hazardous  work  was  to  be  done.  Indeed,  it  is  known  at 
the  War  Department  that  these  three  regiments  held 
equal  rank,  and  that  rank  was  the  highest  in  the  cavalry 
arm  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

While  resting  here  in  the  woods,  expecting  to  be  on 
duty  again  in  the  front,  our  band  was  sent  to  General 
Pleasanton's  headquarters,  near  Brandy  Station.  Six 
large  covered  wagons,  filled  with  negroes  of  both  sexes 
and  of  all  ages,  passed  our  camp  towards  the  rear,  having 
been  captured  by  General  Kilpatrick  near  Madison  Court 
House,  together  with  the  rebel  guard  that  was  taking 
them  south  beyond  the  reach  of  the  Yankees.  A  hap 
pier  company  one  might  not  see.  They  were  singing, 
laughing,  and  even  dancing,  knowing  that  they  were 
now  safe,  and  saying,  "Now  I  's  free."  By  ihe  way, 
frequent  amusements  were  had  by  our  officers  and  men 
in  inducing  the  glad  "contrabands"  along  the  army 
lines  to  come  into  our  camps  and  dance  their  plantation 
jigs  and  sing  their  merry  songs.  Honest  souls,  they 
were  full  of  thankfulness  and  hope. 

While  here  in  bivouac,  Captain  Gould,  with  a  hundred 
men,  was  detached  from  our  headquarters  and  reported 
to  the  Fifth  Army  Corps  at  the  front,  for  picketing, 
scouting,  and  serving  as  couriers  to  General  Warren. 

The  strength  of  the  two  armies,  as  they  now  faced 
each  other  on  the  Rapidan,  has  been  stated,  by  authority, 
as  follows:  Meade's  army,  sixty-eight  thousand  men; 
Lee's  army,  sixty  thousand.  But  obviously  Lee  had 
superior  advantages  of  position. 


18(53.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  291 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

FLANKING     SERVICE    AND     LOSS. 
SEPTEMBER— OCTOBER,  1863. 

ENERAL  Meade  became  satisfied  of  his  inability 
to  dislodge  Lee  from  his  intrenched  position  on 
the  right  of  the  Rapidan,  and  for  the  time  resolved  to 
simply  hold  his  own  position.  Besides,  his  army  had 
been  somewhat  weakened  by  detachments  sent  to  quell 
riotous  demonstrations  relative  to  the  draft  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  by  sending  Hooker's  corps  to  reinforce 
the  army  at  Chattanooga.  But,  while  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  firmly  held  its  front,  to  guard  our  flanks  and 
keep  secure  our  communications  with  Washington  called 
for  the  constant  and  vigilant  service  of  the  cavalry. 

September  24th.  We  were  ordered  to  fall  back  ko  as 
sist  in  protecting  from  guerrillas  and  raiders  the  Orange 
and  Alexandria  Railroad.  Passing  through  Culpepper 
and  Brandy  Station,  we  crossed  the  river  at  Rappahan- 
nock  Station  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

September  25th.  By  six  o'clock  we  resumed  our 
march,  and,  passing  Bealton  and  Warrenton  Junction, 
reached  Catlett  Station,  relieving  the  Eleventh  Corps,  that 
had  been  detached  from  our  army,  under  Hooker,  for 
service  in  the  west.  Our  camp  was  pitched  in  the  woods. 


292  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

September  28th.  Greatly  to  our  satisfaction,  we  were 
visited  by  the  Paymaster,  who  distributed  greenbacks  for 
two  months  of  service,  up  to  September  1st.  This  joy 
of  pay-day  always  reached  at  last  our  loved  homes. 

October  5th.  To  keep  all  our  lines  secure,  we  moved 
by  order  near  to  Falmouth,  where  we  remained,  on  such 
duty  as  will  readily  be  imagined,  five  days. 

October  10th.  At  dark  we  had  orders,  and  hastened 
to  Kelly's  Ford.  As  usual,  night  and  day  were  alike  to 
us  for  service. 

October  llth.  We  forded  the  river  and  advanced  to 
Brandy  Station,  where  we  found  the  whole  army  in 
motion.  Lee  had  conceived  the  plan  of  attacking  Meade 
by  striking  his  right  flank,  and  so  drawing  him  into 
action,  or  of  slipping  to  his  rear  and  cutting  him  off 
from  Washington.  Some  suppose  he  intended  another 
invasion  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  He  was  vigor 
ously  moving  on  our  right.  By  command  we  fell  back, 
crossed  the  river  at  Rappahannock  Station  and  moved 
to  Warrenton  Springs,  where  we  bivouacked.  At  ten 
o'clock  in  the  chilly  night  we  were  alarmed  and  brought 
to  horse  by  firing  on  the  picket  line.  What  a  great  fire 
a  little  matter  kindleth.  A  soldier  mistook  a  pig  for  a 
rebel — excuse  the  comparison.  The  disturber  of  our 
peace  received  his  appropriate  blessing.  As  there  were 
no  sutlers  on 'the  flanks  of  the  army  and  especially  on 
the  picket  line,  a  soldier  might  be  pardoned  for  cap 
turing  good  meat. 

October  12th.  Resuming  our  march,  we  proceeded  to 
Waterloo  Ford,  where  we  spent  the  day  on  picket.  Au 
tumn  in  the  hills  and  mountains  has  its  charms,  if  one 
is  only  free  from  solicitude  to  contemplate  them.  With 
drawing  at  night,  we  moved  to  Fayetteville. 

On  this  day,  Captain  Gould,  with  his  detachment,  that 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  293 

had  been  absent  on  special  duty,  on  his  way  to  rejoin  us, 
in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  near  Warrenton,  was  at 
tacked  by  the  rebels.  It  was  impossible  to  distinguish 
friends  from  foes,  hence  wise  righting  was  out  of  the 
question.  Nor  had  the  Captain  any  idea  of  the  force  of 
the  enemy.  The  result  of  the  surprise  and  assault  was 
that  near  fifty  of  his  men  were  taken  prisoners.  He  es 
caped  with  forty,  and  reported  to  the  regiment  on  the 
13th.  The  case  of  some  of  these  captured  men  was  ex 
ceedingly  trying.  They  had  just  been  exchanged  from 
captivity,  being  of  the  number  taken  prisoners  at  the 
battle  of  Middleburg,  whose  trials  have  been  recited  in  a 
previous  chapter,  and  were  now  on  their  way  to  rejoin 
us.  It  was  hard  for  them  to  turn  again  to  such  loath 
some  prison  life  as  awaited  them  within  the  unfeeling 
rebel  south.  Our  regiment  had  passed  the  spot  where 
they  were  captured  but  half  an  hour  before.  But  affairs 
were  greatly  mixed  around  us;  the  Confederates  were 
pushing  us  back  with  painful  speed,  and  flanking  us  in 
the  mountains.  The  following  is  the  list  of  our  cap 
tured  men: 

(Troop  A)  H.  B.  Borden,  C.  E.  Gould,  A.  H.  Herrick, 
M.  C.  Lynch,  M.  Leach,  H.  West;  (Troop  B)  J.  A. 
Burke,  J.  Kittelle,  J.  W.  Rothwell;  (Troop  C)  J.  Burke, 
J.  Cavanaugh,  J.  Dyer,  A.  Healey;  (Troop  D)  A.  Dur- 
fee,  S.  Minor;  (Troop  E)  L.  C.  Stevens,  Sergeant  K.  V. 
Barrows,  P.  Carpenter,  J.  Kavanaugh;  (Troop  F)  I. 
Bowditch,  R.  Durdeen,  T.  Henrys,  L.  D.  Leach,  G.  B. 
Potter;  (Troop  G)  C.  B.  Delanah,  J.  B.  Bidmead,  W. 
Comstock,  Sergeant  E.  D.  Guild,  L.  Von  Helmrich,  A. 
Von  Hock,  C.  B.  Hilchley;  (Troop  II)  L.  Von  Zengen,  J. 
H.  Austin,  G.  L.  Clarke,  W.  Carney,  H.  B.  Freelove,  J.  B. 
Foster,  A.  C.  Greene,  E.  Northup,  D.  C.  Spink;  (Troop 
I)  G.  F.  Cannon,  H.  Taylor,  I.  L.  Stockbridge;  (Troop 
25* 


294  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

K)  L.  Hill,.0.  H.  Dix;  (Troop  L)  W.  W.  Durrell,  G. 
Dearborn. 

This  list  counts  forty-seven.  The  full  list  of  those 
belonging  to  the  New  Hampshire  battalion  can  not  be 
given,  on  account  of  the  incomplete  information  we 
have  of  that  battalion.  This  too  will  explain  any  ap 
parent  conflict  between  the  number  here  given  and  any 
statements  that  may  have  been  made  by  others.  We 
regret  that  our  records  can  not  be  exact  in  this  matter. 

Warren  Butman  (Troop  G),  captured  at  this  time, 
made  his  escape  and  remained  in  the  enemy's  lines  two- 
weeks,  arriving  at  the  headquarters  of  the  regiment  while 
we  were  encamped  near  the  place  of  his  capture.  He 
travelled  in  the  night  and  kept  concealed  in  the  woods 
by  day,  taking,  by  necessity,  a  lengthy,  roundabout  way 
to  avoid  the  rebel  pickets  and  scouting  parties.  Unable 
to  visit  houses  from  fear  of  detection  or  betrayal,  all  he 
found  to  eat  was  wild  fruit — chiefly  persimmons,  which 
at  this  time  of  year  were  quite  abundant.  When  he 
reached  our  camp  he  looked  more  like  a  skeleton  than 
like  a  living  person. 


1863.1  FIKST   RHODE   I&LAND    CAVALRY.  295 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

HORRORS    OF    CONFEDERATE    PRISONS. 
CAPTIVITY     OF     SERGEANT     E  M  M  O  N  S     D.     GUILD. 

OCTOBER,  1863— FEBRUARY,  1865. 

,OW  anxiously  our  thoughts  and  hearts  followed 
our  dear  comrades,  whose  capture  was  mentioned 
in  the  preceding  chapter,  as  they  passed  within  the  ruth 
less  rebel  lines,  many  of  them  going  to  the  privations 
and  horrors  of  Southern  prisons  for  the  second  time;  all 
of  them  to  be  sufferers  beyond  what  language  can  ex 
press;  and — what  in  mercy  we  did  not  then  know — all 
save  three  going  to  return  no  more.  Of  the  uncivilized, 
barbarous  treatment  meted  to  them,  we  shall  in  this 
chapter  let  Sergeant  Emmons  D.  Guild  speak,  in  his 
plain,  unimpassioned  but  impressive  narrative,  reserving 
for  a  future  chapter  a  more  full  interior  view  of  the 
abominable  Andersonville  prison  pen.  To  be  true  to- 
ourselves  and  to  our  country,  we  can  not  omit  these  brief 
records  of  the  sufferings  and  martyrdoms  of  our  brave, 
beloved,  tortured,  sacrificed  comrades.  Closely  to  our 
memories  and  beating  hearts  do  we  hold  these  unvar 
nished,  thrilling  narratives  of  the  prison  experiences  of 
our  brothers  in  arms,  who  endured  more  than  did  we  whcv 


296  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

suffered  simply  on  the  front.  It  yet  remains  to  write  a 
true,  full,  faithful  chapter  of  history  on  Rebel  Prisons 
during  the  slave-holders'  insurrection.  We  will  no  longer 
detain  our  readers  from  Sergeant  Guild's  narrative: 

"  October  12,  1863.  I  was  detailed,  with  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty  others,  to  go  on  picket  on  the  Rap- 
pahannock,  about  six  miles  above  Sulphur  Springs.  We 
arrived  there  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and 
before  dark  the  rebels  crossed  at  Sulphur  Springs  and 
cut  us  off  from  the  army.  We  remained  on  picket  until 
after  dark,  when  we  started  for  Warrenton,  supposing 
our  forces  would  be  there,  taking  a  cross-road  until  we 
were  about  half  way  there,  then  coming  out  into  the 
main  road,  ahead,  as  we  supposed,  of  the  rebels.  In 
stead  of  that,  we  came  upon  the  road  between  their 
advance  guard  and  their  army.  They  soon  came  upon 
our  rear-guard  and  asked,  'What  regiment  is  that?' 
We  answered,  i  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,'  and  asked 
their  name.  We  got  a  volley  for  a  reply.  Not  thinking 
that  the  rebels  were  ahead  of  us  also,  we  started  on  a 
trot  and  soon  brought  up  in  their  advance  guard.  The 
first  that  I  knew  that  we  were  among  the  rebels  was  the 
hearing  of  the  cocking  of  a  pistol.  I  said,  '  Put  that  up 
or  you  will  shoot  some  one. '  He  replied, '  You  will  be  the 
man  if  you  do  not  surrender.'  I  saw  that  I  was  talking 
to  a  Johnnie,  and  found  that  the  best  thing  I  could  do 
was  to  yield.  This  was  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
We  were  dismounted,  stripped  of  our  arms,  and  marched 
back  to  Sulphur  Springs,  where  we  stayed  for  the  night. 

"  October  13th.  In  the  morning  I  saw  that  there  were 
forty-five  of  our  regiment  there,  and  we  were  started  for 
Culpepper  Court  House.  On  the  way  we  were  joined 
by  about  three  hundred  more  prisoners,  taken  from  the 
Fourth  and  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and  some 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  29T 

other  regiments.    -Reaching  Culpepper  in  the  afternoon, 
we  were  put  into  an  old  church  and  kept  that  night. 

"October  14th.  In  the  morning  we  were  put  on  a 
train  of  freight  cars  and  started  for  Richmond,  arriving 
in  the  afternoon,  when  we  were  marched  through  the 
city  to  a  building  called  the  Laundry  Prison  (I  do  not 
remember  the  name  of  the  street). 

"October  15th.  We  drew  the  first  rations  given  us. 
by  the  C.  S.  A.,  consisting  of  a  pound  loaf  of  wheat 
bread  and  a  pint  of  boiled  rice— a  whole  day's  rations. 
There  were  three  floors  in  the  building,  and  about  a 
thousand  men  confined  in  it.  After  being  here  three  or 
four  days,  the  officers  of  the  prison  came  in 'and  informed 
us  that  we  were  to  be  searched.  The  men  were  put  on 
one  side  of  the  room  and  a  guard  set  across  the  centre,, 
when  they  told  us  that  those  who  would  give  up  what 
money  they  had  need  not  be  searched,  and  when  paroled 
the  money  would  be  returned  to  them;  but  those  who  did 
not  give  up  their  money  would  be  searched,  and  when 
paroled  their  money  and  valuables  would  not  be  restored. 

"I  saw  one  man,  from  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania,  give 
them  between  four  and  five  hundred  dollars,  and  in  less, 
than  three  months  he  starved  to  death.  Many  of  the 
searched  saved  their  money  by  putting  it  into  their  pipes 
and  covering  it  with  tobacco.  I  had  a  watch  that  I  put 
on  a  beam  over  our  heads.  I  had  about  twenty  dollars, 
in  money  sewed  into  my  coat.  Fortunately  for  me,  I 
was  talking  with  one  of  the  guards,  when  he  said,  '  If 
you  have  been  searched,  get  out  of  the  way  or  you  will 
be  searched  again.'  I  needed  no  second  invitation.  We 
were  fortunate  enough  to  keep  our  blankets.  Three  or- 
four  of  us  would  club  together  and  make  a  mess ;  thus. 
Sergeant  C.  B.  Delunah  (G),  W.  W.  Durrel  (L),  L.  Hill 
(K),  .and  myself  were  together.  Every  morning  there- 


298  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

was  a  roll-call,  and  the  rations  for  the  day  were  given 
out — the  same  as  before  mentioned. 

"  Greenbacks  were  worth  four  to  one  of  the  rebel  scrip, 
and  the  guards  would  buy  them.  Others  would  bring 
in  things  to  sell,  bread  and  pies,  but  if  the  officers  found 
it  out  they  would  take  away  the  purchases  and  give  a  ball 
and  chain  for  punishment  and  thirty  days'  confinement 
in  Castle  Thunder;  so  we  had  to  be  careful  not  to  be 
found  out.  For  a  loaf  of  bread  we  had  to  pay  one  dol 
lar  in  Confederate  money;  pies  at  the  same  rate. 

"Here  we  remained  about  six  weeks,  when  the  guard 
one  morning  told  us  to  pack  up,  but  did  not  inform  us 
where  we  were  going.  Some,  supposing  we  were  to  be 
paroled,  did  not  take  their  rations — a  mistake  found  out 
before  they  received  more.  From  the  Laundry  Prison 
we  were  taken  to  the  Pemberton  Prison,  on  the  same 
street,  and  nearly  opposite  the  Libby  Prison.  Here  the 
rations  were  about  the  same  as  at  the  Laundry,  except 
that  twice  a  week  we  got  a  small  piece  of  meat. 

"  On  Christmas  Eve  most  of  the  guard  were  off  on  a 
grand  spree,  and  some  one  proposed  that  we  should  make 
a  break  and  liberate  the  officers  in  Libby  and  the  men  on 
Belle  Island  and  in  the  other  prisons  in  the  city.  All 
the  men  in  the  building  were  got  into  line,  and  remained 
ready  for  one  hour  or  more,  when  for  some  reason,  never 
known,  it  was  given  up.  I  think,  if  we  had  tried,  we 
could  easily  have  carried  out  the  project. 

"  I  received  a  letter  from  home  on  the  18th  of  Novem 
ber,  1863,  coming  by  way  of  City  Point.  But  letters 
were  few  that  ever  reached  the  ones  they  were  sent 
to. 

"  In  the  month  of  December  we  got  some  clothing, 
sent  to  us  by  the  Sanitary  Commission.  There  was  not 
much  of  it,  but  what  there  was  was  most  thankfully  re- 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  299 

ceived.  One  man  found  a  shirt  with  his  sister's  name 
pinned  on  it. 

"  Captain  Chase,  of  our  regiment,  was  in  Libby  at  this 
time,  and  occasionally  I  saw  him  at  the  windows,  and 
sometimes  managed  to  talk  to  him,  keeping  a  sharp  look 
out  on  the  guard.  Greenbacks  had  now  increased  in 
value,  being  worth  twenty  times  the  Confederate  money, 
but  they  were  pretty  scarce.  Sergeant  Delanah  had 
charge  of  the  issuing  of  the  rations  for  the  men  on  our 
floor  of  the  prison,  and  was  entitled  to  an  extra  ration, 
which  he  would  divide  with  our  mess;  thus  we  got  along 
nicely.  But  most  of  the  prisoners  suffered  extremely  for 
want  of  enough  and  proper  food,  and  continual  deaths 
were  occurring  from  starvation. 

"  We  were  kept  in  the  Pemberton  Prison  until  the  21st 
of  January,  1864,  when  we  were  carried  to  Belle  Island. 
They  took  us  from  buildings  where  we  had  been  for  over 
three  months  without  going  outside  of  the  doors,  and 
put  us  in  midwinter  on  the  island,  without  giving  us  so 
much  as  a  shelter  tent  or  a  blanket.  A  great  many  of 
the  men  froze  to  death.  One  morning  I  saw  eleven  that 
had  frozen  during  the  night.  On  the  island  we  got  our 
first  ration  of  corn-bread  and  bean  soup.  The  soup  was 
composed  of  about  a  table-spoonful  of  black  beans  to  a 
pint  of  water. 

"  March  5th.  We  were  taken  from  Belle  Island  back 
to  Richmond,  and  told  that  we  were  to  be  paroled.  We 
were  kept  there  one  night  and  then  put  on  freight  cars — 
fifty  in  a  car,  with  doors  fastened,  and  two  guards  to  a 
car— and  started  for  Andersonville,  Ga,  They  gave  us 
one  day's  rations  to  start  with,  and  we  did  not  get  any 
thing  more  until  the  second  night,  when  we  stopped  at 
Raleigh,  X.  C. 

"March  8th.     In  the  morning  we  started  again,  and 


300  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

the  next  stop  was  at  Charlotte,  N".  C.,  where  we  stayed 
•one  night.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  three 
men  ran  through  the  guard,  who  fired  at  them.  This 
•aroused  the  whole  camp,  and  the  rebels,  fearing  we  would 
all  escape,  ordered  us  to  lie  down.  One  man,  somewhat 
cleaf,  did  not  hear  the  order,  but  remained  standing, 
when  the  guard  shot  him  through  the  head.  One  other 
man  died  that  night,  and  both  were  buried  in  one  grave. 

"  Most  of  the  guard  here  were  very  anxious  to  get 
greenbacks,  giving  ten  dollars  (rebel)  for  one.  One  of 
our  soldiers  had  a  five  dollar  bill,  on  which  some  one  had« 
so  nicely  drawn  a  cipher  that  it  looked  like  a  fifty;  this 
he  sold  to  a  rebel  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in 
^Confederate  money.  The  joke  was  not  discovered  till 
we  had  got  on  the  train.  The  sold  rebel  went  through 
the  train  to  find  his  Yankee  trader,  but  nobody  had 
seen  him. 

"  After  we  left  Charlotte,  two  men  jumped  from  the 
train  in  the  night  and  made  their  escape;  at  least  we 
never  heard  of  their  recapture.  After  that  we  were 
obliged  to  lie  down  in  the  cars  at  night. 

"March  12th.  We  arrived  at  Andersonville,  Ga., 
having  been  seven  days  on  the  road,  with  but  two  stops. 
Here  we  were  put  into  an  inclosure  containing  about 
twenty-eight  acres,  and  told  to  look  out  for  ourselves. 
Trhere  were  about  three  thousand  in  the  inclosure  when 
•we  entered  it,  but  prisoners  kept  coming  every  day  or 
two,  until  there  were  about  twelve  thousand;  then  they 
stopped  for  several  weeks,  but  soon  commenced  again, 
*mtil,  in  the  month  of  August,  1804,  there  were  over 
thirty  thousand  there. 

"The  rations  at  Andersonville  were  poorer  than^we 
had  been  receiving  at  Richmond.  They  were  one  pound 
<of  coarse  meal  .per  day,  and  twice  a  week  a  tea-cupful 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  301 

of  black  beans — two  bugs  to  every  bean.  At  first  we  re 
ceived  a  small  piece  of  meat,  but  they  soon  stopped 
that. 

"About  the  first  of  April,  Captain  Wirtz  came  into 
the  prison  pen  and  wanted  twelve  men  to  go  outside  to 
work,  and  I  was  one  of  the  lucky  ones  detailed  to  go  out 
side.  A  part  had  to  work  in  the  cook  house,  and  the 
rest  of  us  had  to  bury  the  dead.  We  were  kept  under 
guard  during  the  day  and  sent  into  the  stockade  at 
night,  until  the  first  of  May,  when,  on  giving  our  parole 
of  honor  not  to  run  away,  the  guard  was  taken  off  and 
I  was  permitted  to  remain  outside  of  the  stockade;  and 
if  any  one  did  run  away  he  was  to  be  hung  if  caught. 
After  this  time  I  had  plenty  of  rations  and  good  quarters. 
They  continued  detailing  working  parties  from  the  pris 
oners  until  there  were  over  one  hundred  men  outside  of 
the  stockade.  We  were  not  allowed  to  talk  to  the  ne 
groes  or  citizens,  under  penalty  of  being  sent  inside, 
though  allowed  to  go  one  mile  in  any  direction  except 
towards  the  stockade.  The  sufferings  of  the  men  con 
fined  inside  cannot  be  written  or  told;  they  were  horrible 
in  the  extreme. 

"  While  I  was  on  outside  duty  at  Anderson  ville  I  kept  an 
.account  of  the  number  of  deaths  per  month,  and  think 
I  have  got  them  nearly  right;  the  figures  read  as  follows . 
March,  278;  April,  544;  May,  699;  June,  1291;  July, 
1733  ;  August,  2990 ;  from  September  1st  to  September 
6th,  516  ;  from  September  6th  to  November  1st,  3619. 
Total  in  eight  months,  11,669. 

"  Of  the  forty-seven  of  my  own  regiment,  taken  pris 
oners  with  me,  only  three  lived  to  return  to  their  homes. 

"As  our  prisoners  died  they  had  small  slips  of  paper 
pinned  upon  their  clothing,  giving  the  number  of  death, 
name,  company,  and  regiment.  The  following  are  sam- 


302  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

pie  copies  of  the  slips  which  I  preserved  of  men  of  our 
regiment: 

1902.                             4742.  7032. 

S.  R.  IDE,  ROBT.  DURDEEN,  A.  HOOKER, 

Priv.  Co.  H,               Priv.  Co.  F,  Priv.  Co.  G, 

1.  R.  I.  Oav.                1.  R.  I.  C.  1.  R.  I.  Cavalry. 

"The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  members 
of  our  regiment  who  died  in  Andersonville,  with  the 
dates  of  their  death,  so  far  as  could  be  ascertained, 
preserved  on  my  memorandum:  George  T.  Slocum  (A); 
Caleb  W.  Hunt  (A);  H.  West  (A);  Philip  B.  Smith  (A), 
July  28,  1864 ;  Jeremiah  Rathbone  (A),  July  31,  1864  ; 
James  Kittelle  (B);  James  Burke  (C),  August  20,  1864  ; 
Sergeant  J.  R.  Peterson  (D);  M.  W.  Sweet  (D);  S.  Minor 
(D);  Alonzo  Healey  (D);  Charles  H.  Maine  (E),  August 
25,  1864;  Patrick  Carpenter  (E);  Thomas  Henrys  (F); 
Isaac  Bowditch  (F),  January  7,  1864;  Sergeant  C.  B. 
Delanah  (G),  April  19,  1864  ;  John  B.  Bidmead  (G), 
June  13,  1864 ;  A.  Van  Hock  (G),  August  27,  1864  ; 

5.  R.  Ide  (H),  June  13,  1864;  H.  B.  Freelove  (H),  May 

6,  1864;   D.   C.   Spink  (H),   May  27,  1864;   Edmund 
Northup  (H),   July  11,   1864 ;  Sergeant  J.  A.   Austin 
(H),  July  13,  1864. 

"  Thus  we  know  that  twenty-three  of  our  brave  and 
true  comrades  expired  in  this  cruel,  loathsome,  horrible 
pen.  Language  would  fail  to  describe  the  sufferings  and 
anguish  here  endured.  Of  the  remainder  of  my  cap 
tivity  I  give  a  brief  account. 

"  September  6th.  We  were  told  that  we  were  to  be 
sent  to  Savannah  to  be  paroled,  and  would  start  the 
next  day.  We  were  overjoyed  to  hear  such  news,  but 
feared  the  truth  of  the  report;  most  of  the  boys  thought 
it  was  so,  and  left  everything  that  they  had.  '  But  when 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  303 

we  got  to  Savannah  we  were  put  into  another  stockade 
and  told  that  we  were  to  stay  awhile  longer.  Here  Lieu 
tenant  Davis  had  command  of  the  prison,  and  WHS  liked 
much  better  than  Wirtz.  We  stayed  at  Savannah  about 
four  weeks,  and  were  then  taken  to  Blackshire,  down 
near  the  Florida  line,  but  remained  there  only  a  few 
days,  when  we  were  brought  back  to  Savannah,  and 
from  there  taken  to  Millen.  Here  again  I  got  a  chance 
to  work  in  the  hospital,  and  so  was  able  to  procure  what 
rations  I  wanted  and  some  for  my  friends.  We  stayed 
in  Millen  until  the  whole  camp  was  removed  to  prevent 
being  captured  by  General  Sherman's  army;  the  camp 
was  moved  one  day  and  his  army  occupied  the  place  the 
next  day. 

"  From  Millen  we  were  taken  to  Florence,  S.  0.,  by  way 
of  Savannah  and  Charleston.  We  stayed  in  Charleston 
one  night,  and  could  hear  the  shells  that  came  from  our 
batteries  that  were  bombarding  the  city.  We  arrived  in 
Florence  about  the  first  of  December,  when  they  com 
menced  to  parole  the  sick.  Then  was  the  only  time  in 
my  life  when  I  wanted  to  be  sick;  I  tried  to  be,  but 
could  not  be  sick  enough.  We  remained  in  Florence 
until  about  the  first  of  February,  1865,  when  we  were  sent 
to  Wilmington,  N.  C.  Here  we  remained  until  the  rebels 
were  driven  from  the  place.  We  were  then  taken  to 
Goldsborough,  and  kept  there  until  we  were  paroled, 
which  was  on  the  26th  of  February,  1865.  After  we 
were  paroled  we  were  put  on  the  cars  and  taken  back  to 
within  ten  miles  of  Wilmington  and  delivered  to  a  guard 
in  waiting  for  us,  and  I  think  it  was  the  happiest  day  of 
my  life.  I  was  a  prisoner  sixteen  months  and  four  days. 
We  stayed  in  Wilmington  a  few  days,  when  we  started 
for  Annapolis,  Md. 

"  Private  Andrew  Durfee  (D),  after  passing  through  all 


304  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

these  weary  months  of  captivity — this  being  his  second 
captivity — lived  to  be  paroled,  and  reached  Goldsborough, 
N.  C.,  in  February,  1865.  On  his  way  home,  very  sick 
and  weak,  he  thought  it  advisable  to  go  into  the  hospital 
at  that  place,  until  able  to  continue  his  journey  north; 
but  he  was  never  permitted  to  see  friends  or  home  again. 
He  died  a  few  days  after  entering  the  hospital." 

A  more  complete  interior  view  and  account  of  the  bar 
barisms  of  Andersonville  are  reserved  for  a  subsequent 
chapter,  in  which  will  be  presented  the  experiences  of 
another  of  our  comrades. 


REBEL    ATROCITIES. 

Did  ever  inhumanity 

Confront  the  world  and  vent  its  hate 
In  fiendish,  fierce  insanity 

As  mid  the  ranks  Confederate? 

See  Richmond's  cells,  dark,  chill,  and  vile, 
Worse  than  the  Inquisition's  racks; 

See  loathsome,  shelterless  Belle  Isle 
That  no  Tartarian  feature  lacks. 

And,  worst  of  all,  the  horrid  pen 
That  gives  its  curse  to  And'sonville — 

Darkest  disgrace  yet  known  'mong  men — 
That  would  barbarians'  bosoms  chill. 

These  were  the  prisons  of  our  braves 
When  captured  on  the  faithful  field; 

And  here  they  withered  to  their  graves 
Mid  foes  to  all  compassion  steeled. 

In  hunger,  nakedness,  and  cold. 
Their  fading  eyes  for  pity  crie.d; 

In  woe  and  wretchedness  untold 
They  pined  away,  and  anguished  died. 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  305 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

FIGHT    NEAR    AUBURN. 
OCTOBER,  1863. 

E  return  to  the  war  front,  where  our  sabres  are 
in  demand  and  are  drawn  for  their  loyal  work. 
The  Confederates,  conscious  of  their  waning  strength, 
and  chagrined  by  their  defeats,  are  becoming  desperate. 
Exasperated  Lee  is  intent  on  inflicting  some  severe  blow 
upon  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  is  now  pressing 
Meade  as  sharply  as  possible. 

October  13th.  In  the  night  we  fell  back  near  Warren- 
ton  Junction,  throwing  out  our  vigilant  pickets.  Dur 
ing  the  night  both  armies  lay  upon  their  arms,  our  rear 
guards  and  the  enemy's  advance  guards  so  close  together 
that  they  bivouacked  almost  among  one  another.  Stuart 
and  his  cavalry  were  reported  as  really  within  our  lines. 
All  stood  to  horse.  We  hardly  knew  where  we  were  till 
morning,  when  we  found  we  were  at  Auburn,  and  Lee 
was  pressing  our  right. 

October  14th.  The  firing  of  rebel  infantry  on  our 
pickets  began  at  dawn,  and  soon  the  action  became  gen 
eral.  The  pressure  was  heavy  and  persistent.  Line 
after  line  was  formed  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check:  on 
26* 


306  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

our  part  merely  defensive  action  to  hold  the  foe  at  bay 
till  our  army  could  fall  back  without  heavy  loss.  In  this 
sharp  engagement,  bravely  conducted  on  both  sides,  the 
casualties  in  our  regiment  were  as  follows:  Sergeant  J. 
S.  Brown  (B),  killed;  Sergeant  John  Peterson  (D),  cap- 
'tured;  W.  W.  Sweet  (D),  captured;  Sergeant  B.  H. 
Rogers  (F),  wounded  in  shoulder.  In  December  follow 
ing,  a  detachment  of  our  command,  with  the  Chaplain, 
went  to  Auburn,  exhumed  the  body  of  Sergeant  Brown 
and  forwarded  it  to  Alexandria,  from  whence  afterwards 
it  was  sent  to  his  home  in  Attleborough,  Mass.,  for  final 
burial. 

While  the  fight  at  Bristoe  Station  was  going  on  at 
dusk  of  the  14th,  our  regiment  held  the  left  flank  of  our 
army.  In  our  immediate  front  the  rebels  made  only  a 
faint  show  of  themselves.  At  our  right,  the  artillery 
fighting,  plainly  seen,  was  a  grand  military  sight,  but 
well-nigh  deafening  to  our  ears.  This  was  to  arrest  the 
enemy's  advance.  The  whole  army  was  moving  back  as 
rapidly  as  practicable,  to  protect  Washington  at  least, 
and,  if  possible,  to  gain  and  hold  the  country  north  of 
Thoroughfare  Gap.  Wagon  trains,  ambulances,  artil 
lery,  infantry,  and  all  that  pertains  to  a  great  armed 
host,  might  be  seen  pressing  the  roads,  by-ways,  and  even 
fields,  in  their  backward  movement — the  great  refluent 
wave  of  war.  Ah!  how  this  part  of  Virginia  was  trod 
den  and  retrodden  for  four  years  by  powerful  and  deter 
mined  armies. 

As  in  all  similar  circumstances,  the  sleepless  and  severe 
work  of  guarding  the  army  flanks  and  rear  fell  upon 
the  mounted  troops.  Steadily  we  fought  and'  fell  back, 
occasionally  giving  and  receiving  keen  blows,  till  October 
17th,  when  the  army  reached  Centreville,  with  the  cav 
alry  force  at  Wolf  Run  Ford.  Lee  failed  in  provoking  a 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  307 

battle  on  grounds  of  his  own  selection,  and  also  failed  in 
his  endeavor  to  slip  in  our  rear  and  imperil  the  Capital. 
October  18th.  Moving  to  Fairfax  Station,  we  drew 
rations — no  small  matter  to  men  and  horses  situated  as 
we  had  been.  In  bivouacking  for  the  night,  we  held  our 
sabres  awaiting  orders;  for  it  was  thought  that  Lee  might 
dare  to  make  another  dash  across  the  upper  Potomac, 
and  we  were  to  be  ready  to  anticipate  him  and  give  him 
the  discussion  he  invited.  Lee,  however,  was  too  wise 
to  ask  for  a  second  edition  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 


308  SABKES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

ADVANCING    AGAIN. 
OCTOBER— DECEMBER,  1863. 

iCTOBER  19th.  We  were  awakened  in  our  biv 
ouac  to  learn  that  the  rebels  were  retreating.  The 
refluent  war  wave  had  spent  its  force.  Lee  had  wisely 
discovered  that  his  line  of  safety  lay  in  retracing  his 
steps.  In  the  war  race  now  it  was  his  turn  to  fly  and 
ours  to  follow;  and  London  and  Fauquier  Counties  were 
to  have  another  tramping  and  peeling.  To  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  we  were  designated  as  rear-guard.  After 
waiting  all  day  for  the  army  and  trains  to  get  on  the 
roads,  at  five  o'clock  P.  M.  we  left  Fairfax  Station  and 
marched,  via  Centre ville,  to  Manassas  Junction,  and 
bivouacked  in  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  our  old  camp 
ground  occupied  in  the  summer  of  1862.  How  familiar 
and  full  of  memories  to  us  were  Manassas  Plains  and  the 
gory  fields  in  its  vicinity. 

October  20th.  We  moved  near  Blackburn's  Ford, 
and,  at  night,  proceeding  near  the  Stone  Bridge,  reported 
to  our  brigade,  and  finally  bivouacked  on  the  old,  doubly 
blood-wet  Bull  Run  battle  field.  Ah !  what  crimson  scenes 
and  associations  came  thronging  back  upon  our  minds. 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  309 

In  the  view  of  all,  how  strange  that  some  of  us  did  not 
become  discouraged.  But  our  cause  was  too  true,  too 
noble,  too  great,  too  holy,  to  admit  of  faltering  in  faith 
or  of  faint-heartedness  in  sacrifices.  Our  watch-words 
were:  "Over  the  Rappahannock  ! "  "On  to  Rich 
mond!"  "Down  with  the  rebellion!"  "Death  to 
Slavery!"  "Up  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes!"  "Lib 
erty  and  Law  !"  Brave  hearts  our  army  had  to  dare 
and  do  unto  death. 

October  21st.  Passing  through  Gainesville,  where 
we  drew  rations  and  forage,  we  again  bore  our  guidons 
through  Thoroughfare  Gap  and  New  Baltimore,  and 
bivouacked  near  Warren  ton,  on  our  old  ground  on  the 
Warrenton  Turnpike.  It  seemed  as  if  the  hills  must 
have  become  familiar  with  our  bugles  and  standard. 

October  22d.  Moving  on  to  Waterloo,  we  posted  our 
videttes  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  while 
on  the  opposite  bank  were  the  rebel  pickets.  The  river 
at  this  point  is  very  narrow,  and  conversation  was  readily 
indulged  in  by  the  opposing  forces.  We  found  the  speci 
mens  of  chivalry  confronting  us  were  of  the  famous 
Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry,  with  whom  previously,  on  dif 
ferent  fields,  we  had  crossed  sabres  and  exchanged  solid 
cavalier  compliments,  as  they  had  good  reason  to  remem 
ber.  Now,  however,  they  were  very  easy,  familiar,  and 
talkative,  having  much  to  say  about  recent  movements. 
By  the  way,  with  many  of  them,  as  with  all  on  our  side, 
personal  animosities  were  not  allowed  a  place  in  the  great 
contest,  so  long  as  both  parties  adhered  to  the  rules  of 
honorable  warfare.  The  war  was  one  of  great  principles, 
by  the  side  of  which  men  were  insignificant.  The  future 
weal  of  a  continent  hung  upon  the  contest.  We  could 
not  stop  or  stoop  to  hate  individuals,  but  met  them 
always  as  the  representatives  of  great  and  fateful  ideas. 


310  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

October  24th.  We  were  relieved  from  picket  service 
for  rest,  and,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  went  into  our 
old  bivouac  at  Waterloo.  From  this  time  until  Novem 
ber  7th  we  remained  in  camp,  engaged  only  in  picket 
duty  and  on  reconnoissances.  But  General  Meade  had 
now  determined  to  push  Lee  back  from  the  Rappahan- 
nock  and  across  the  Rapidan.  Indeed,  as  it  afterwards 
appeared,  he  contemplated  more  than  that. 

November  7th.  As  the  army  was  again  on  the  for 
ward  movement,  we  broke  camp  at  one  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  and  advanced  to  Bealton,  and  carefully  posted 
our  pickets.  Meanwhile,  severe  fighting  was  going  on 
at  Rappahannock  Station  and  Kelly's  Ford,  which  lasted 
till  dark.  On  the  8th,  we  moved  up  to  Rappahannock 
Station,  as  General  Meade's  headquarters  had  been  ad 
vanced  to  Brandy  Station. 

November  12th.  Forces  were  advancing  from  Liberty 
to  Warrenton,  and  we  moved  on  to  Fayetteville.  AVhile 
here  we  remember  to  have  assembled  to  witness  what 
was  to  us  the  novel  ceremony  of  branding  deserters — cul 
prits  from  the  Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  They  were 
branded  with  the  letter  D  on  the  left  hip,  and  had  one- 
half  of  the  head  shaved,  and  then  were  drummed  out  of 
camp.  Yes,  deep  be  the  brand  for  the  desertion  of  duty, 
for  the  betrayal  of  our  comrades  and  our  country,  for  the 
loss  of  self-respect  and  the  esteem  of  mankind. 

November  13th.  Five  of  our  men,  while  on  picket 
near  Warrenton,  were  captured  by  the  enemy.  These 
were  C.  W.  Hunt,  J.  H.  Collins,  G.  H.  Martin,  J.  W. 
Rawcliffe,  J.  W.  Millington,  all  of  Troop  A. 

Charles  L.  Brown  (Troop  M)  died  November  22d. 

November  23d.  We  proceeded  to  Catlett  Station  to 
relieve  the  First  Corps  from  duty  on  the  Orange  and 
Alexandria  Railroad.  General  Meade  had  now  resolved 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  311 

to  cross  the  Rapidan  and  give  Lee  battle  on  his  own 
ground.  This  day  (November  23d),  we  received  the 
painful  intelligence  that  we  had  met  with  another  loss 
froin  death,  which  we  must  not  neglect  to  mention. 

Lieutenant  CHARLES  ALBERT  SAWYER.  He  was  born 
in  Nashua,  N.  H.,  October  19, 1839,  and  was  the  younger 
of  the  two  sons  of  Hon.  George  T.  Sawyer,  for  many 
years  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  New 
Hampshire. 

He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  city,  at  the  private  academy  of  Rev.  Mr.  Perry,  in 
Pepperrell,  Mass.,  and  subsequently  graduated  at  the 
New  Hampshire  Literary  Institution.  For  a  time  he 
studied  law  under  his  father,  then  on  the  bench,  but  be 
fore  completing  his  course  left  for  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
from  which,  however,  he  returned  to  New  England  in 
1860,  and  resumed  legal  studies  in  Lincoln,  Me.,  where 
he  was  about  to  enter  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war.  Having  been  re 
cently  married,  this,  with  other  ties,  led  him  to  think  of 
home  and  peaceful  pursuits,  and  professional  success 
opening  before  him.  But  he  yielded  to  the  sterner  call 
of  duty  to  his  country,  and  enlisted  October  28,  1861, 
in  one  of  the  troops  of  cavalry  then  organizing  in  New 
Hampshire,  and  afterwards  a  worthy  part  of  our  regi 
ment.  In  his  enlistment  papers  he  is  described  as 
"  twenty-two  years  of  age,  a  lawyer,  blue  eyes,  brown 
hair,  light  complexion,  five  feet,  ten  inches  high." 

United  to  a  vigorous  physical  organization,  he  had  a 
clear,  active  intellect,  a  warm,  generous  heart,  and  suffi 
cient  enthusiasm  and  force  of  character  to  call  out  all 
his  abilities.  He  participated  in  all  the  battles  and  skir 
mishes  in  which  the  regiment  bore  so  honorable  a  part; 
and  whether  as  private  or  commissioned  officer,  whether 


312  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [November, 

acting  as  Captain  of  his  troop  or  as  Adjutant  of  the 
regiment,  to  which  post  he  was  appointed  in  April,  1863, 
he  was  true,  constant,  and  faithful.  In  the  camp,  on  the 
march,  in  the  field,  in  every  position,  in  the  discharge  of 
•every  duty,  he  was  a  brave,  vigilant  soldier,  an  affection 
ate  comrade,  and  a  kind  commander. 

In  the  terrible  hand  to  hand  conflict  with  the  foe  at 
Middleburg,  Va.,  June,  1863,  he  received  an  injury  in 
the  knee,  which  was  afterwards  aggravated  by  his  horse 
dashing  the  limb  against  a  tree.  A  severe  attack  of 
rheumatic  inflammation  ensued,  which  drew  up  the 
limb  and  formed  adhesions,  to  be  broken  only  by  the 
application  of  force.  In  the  attempt  to  endure  the 
necessary  surgical  operation,  under  the  influence  of 
chloroform,  he  died,  at  the  City  Hotel,  in  Alexandria, 
Va.,  November  15,  1863. 

On  Sunday,  November  29th,  funeral  services  were  held 
at  his  father's  residence  in  Nashua,  N.  H.  Company  B, 
of  the  Governor's  Horse  Guards,  furnished  bearers,  and 
a  detachment  from  the  Granite  State  Cadets  performed 
escort  duty.  Rev.  B.  F.  Parsons  conducted  the  touch- 
ingly  solemn  services.  While  surviving  comrades  an 
nually  plant  above  his  grave  the  flag  he  loved  and  died 
to  defend,  it  needs  no  such  effort  to  keep  alive  his  mem 
ory  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  him  as  he  was. 
Honor  be  with  the  name  of  the  young  martyr,  whose  life 
went  out  at  the  age  of  twenty-four.  We,  at  least,  who 
stood  by  his  side,  can  never  forget  Lieutenant  Sawyer. 

November  26th.  Thanksgiving  Day — but  not  as  usual 
to  us;  no  quiet  home;  no  richly  loaded  board;  no  face  of 
father  and  smile  of  mother;  no  hand  of  brother  and  of 
sister;  no  kiss  of  wife  and  children.  Yet,  may  be,  our 
names  are  mentioned  in  those  homes,  and  prayers  arise 


1863.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  313 

to   heaven   for  us.     We   have  a  land   for  which   to  be 
thankful. 

General  Meade  crossed  the  Rapidan  and  faced  the  foe 
near  Mine  Run,  but  finally  deemed  it  prudent  to  with 
draw.  Lee  was  no  unskilled  antagonist.  Meade  was 
not  without  a  large  measure  of  ca-ution.  So  the  two 
armies  soon  settled  back  into  their  lines  of  defense — one 
on  the  north,  the  other  on  the  south  of  the  Rapidan. 
The  season  was  too  far  advanced  to  admit  of  any  further 
general  movement;  so  the  armies  prepared  themselves, 
as  best  they  could,  for  winter  quarters,  each,  of  course, 
keeping  a  lynx's  eye  upon  the  other,  and  seeking  occa 
sions  to  strike  small  blows.  Meade  had  about  sixty 
thousand  men,  and  Lee  about  forty  thousand.  Of  our 
loss  on  December  1st  we  will  speak  in  the  next  chapter. 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

BARBARITIES     OF    A  N  D  E  R  S  O  N  V  I  L  L  E  . 

CAPTIVITIES      OF     E.      F.      CALDWELL     AND 

SERGEANT    A.     C.     SWEETING. 

DECEMBER,  1863— NOVEMBER,  1864. 


±J 


ECEMBER  1st.  A  picket  post  and  reserve  of  our 
men,  stationed  at  Beverly  Ford,  on  the  upper  Rap- 
pahannock,  were  captured  under  the  following  circum 
stances,  as  communicated  to  us  by  Edward  F.  Caldwell, 
one  of  the  unfortunate  number. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  several  men  in 
rebel  uniform  were  seen  moving  along  the  front  of  the 
vidette  at  the  ford,  but  they  made  no  hostile  demon 
strations.  Very  soon,  however,  the  vidette  perceived 
some  horsemen,  in  United  States  uniform,  coming  from 
the  direction  of  the  reserve,  with  two  of  our  regiment 
in  advance.  On  approaching,  they  ordered  the  vidette 
to  surrender;  whereupon  he  found  that  the  order  came 
from  a  squad  of  rebels  in  our  uniform.  Xot  answering 
their  demands  immediately,  he  was  fired  at,  the  shot 
cutting  away  a  portion  of  the  toe  of  his  boot.  Finding 
it  useless  to  resist,  he  surrendered,  when,  to  his  amaze 
ment,  he  learned  that  the  whole  reserve  had  been  sur- 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  315 

rounded  and  captured  by  Mosby's  cunning  men.  The 
men  composing  this  outpost  were  Sergeant  A.  C.  Sweet 
ing,  G.  F.  Slocum,  J.  Kathbone,  P.  B.  Smith,  G.  W. 
West,  I.  F.  York,  C.  N.  Allen,  of  Troop  A,  and  E.  F. 
Caldwell  and  J.  C.  Beckton,  of  Troop  D. 

They  were  immediately  hurried  across  the  river  and 
carried  to  Jefferson,  where  they  were  kept  that  night. 
The  next  day  (December  2d)  they  were  compelled  to 
move  on  foot  to  Gordonsville,  from  which  place  they 
were  carried  to  Richmond  and  put  upon  Belle  Island. 
Here  they  found  some  of  our  men,  taken  during  Meade's 
retreat,  spoken  of  in  Sergeant  Guild's  narrative;  and 
here  they  experienced  the  privations  and  sufferings,  pe 
culiar  to  that  abominable  island,  for  four  long  months, 
wh«n  they  were  taken  to  Andersonville,  Ga,,  where  they 
arrived  about  the  first  of  April,  1864.  Comparatively  few 
prisoners  were  then  in  the  place,  as  that  prison  pen  was 
opened  only  in  the  latter  part  of  the  preceding  winter. 

In  Andersonville  they  suffered  from  bad  and  scanty 
food,  from  impure  water,  from  sand-flies,  fleas,  and  lice; 
and  were  attacked  with  the  scurvy,  suffering  from  thai- 
loathsome  disease  to  such  an  extent  that  their  limbs  be-- 
came  sore  and  stiff  and  their  teeth  became  loose.  In 
November,  18G4,  most  of  the  party  had  died.  But  such 
as  could  be  moved  were  then  sent  to  Florence. 

On  reaching  Florence,  Caldwell  was  put  in  the  hos 
pital,  where  he  received  treatment,  and  ate  raw  potatoes, 
being  obliged  to  scrape  them,  as  his  mouth  and  teeth 
were  so  sore  that  he  could  not  bite  the  vegetables.  By 
this  treatment  he  in  a  measure  recovered,  and  was  sent 
into  the  stockade.  Soon  after  entering  the  stockade,  the 
prison  officers  called  for  volunteers  for  different  duties, 
and  he  volunteered  as  a  cobbler,  though  he  had  never 
before  engaged  in  that  business. 


316  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 

Two  days  after  being  detailed,  he  and  three  others 
made  their  escape.  After  travelling,  shoeless  and  with 
scarcely  any  clothing,  for  several  hundred  miles,  they 
reached  the  Catawba  River,  Davidson  County,  N.  C., 
about  the  10th  of  December,  1864,  and  went  into  the 
mountains,  where  they  lived  with  the  refugees  from 
North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  who  had  left  their  homes 
to  avoid  being  conscripted  into  the  rebel  army.  Here 
they  lived  as  best  they  could,  chiefly  by  begging,  until 
after  Johnston's  surrender,  about  the  first  of  May,  1865, 
when  they  went  to  Greenville,  Tenn.,  and  reported  to 
the  post  commander  at  that  place,  a  colonel  of  a  German 
regiment.  Receiving  no  attention  from  him  in  regard 
to  their  situation,  they  went  to  Nashville,  and  then  to 
Memphis,  where  they  obtained  employment  to  work  on 
a  railroad  near  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 

Here  they  were  engaged  from  June  to  September, 
1865,  when,  having  earned  sufficient  money  to  pay  their 
expenses,  they  started  for  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  they 
arrived  October  1st,  1865,  two  months  after  the  muster- 
out  of  the  regiment.  Completely  worn  out  from  the 
hardships,  sufferings,  and  privations  through  which  they 
had  passed  in  their  prison  life,  they  to-day  are  real  in 
valids,  and  can  never  again  be  in  health  and  strength. 

We  subjoin  the  important  narrative  of  Sergeant  A.  C. 
Sweeting,  throwing  particular  light  upon  the  barbarities 
of  Andersonville,  where  so  many  of  our  brave  comrades 
perished  as  victims  of  the  hate  and  inhumanity  of  the 
Confederates  : 

"December  1,  1863.  On  this  day,  with  other  com 
rades,  I  was  taken  prisoner  while  on  picket  at  Beverly 
Ford,  on  the  Rappahannock,  by  Mosby's  cavalry,  and 
was  started  towards  Richmond.  We  were  four  days  on 
the  way,  part  of  the  time  on  foot,  and  part  on  rail.  Foot- 


1803.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  317 

sore  and  hungry,  we  reached  Richmond  December  5thr 
and  were  put  upon  Belle  Island,  into  bell  tents;  and  for 
tunate  were  such  of  us  as  retained  blankets  or  overcoats. 
Here  our  rations  consisted  of  rye  and  Indian  bread  and  a 
very  small  piece  of  beef;  the  bread  was  good,  but  the 
supply  very  small  indeed.  There  were  between  two  anct 
three  thousand  prisoners  on  the  island;  and  we  suffered1 
very  much  from  cold.  They  gave  us  wood  for  fires  in 
the  middle  of  the  tents,  but  we  had  to  husband  the  sup 
ply,  as  the  prisoners  Vvere  increasing  in  number.  A  great 
many  froze  to  death.  All  suffered  during  the  winter 
from  cold  and  for  want  of  food.  The  treatment  we  re 
ceived  was  very  brutal.  For  some  very  trifling  offense- 
of  language,  I  have  seen  prisoners  knocked  down  by  the- 
guard  with  iron  bars  and  clubs,  and  have  seen  Union 
men.stripped  of  their  clothing  and  ducked  in  the  freezing 
cold  water,  and  their  rations  cut  off  for  the  day. 

"February  22d.  Two  hundred  or  more  of  us  were- 
sent  to  Pemberton  Tobacco  Factory,  in  the  city  of  Rich 
mond. 

"March  8th.  We  were  started  for  Georgia.  Our 
first  night  was  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  where  hard-tack  was 
given  to  us.  The  next  rest  was  at  Charleston,  S.  C., 
where  we  had  more  hard-tack  and  a  very  small  ration  of 
meat. 

"From  Charleston  to  Andersonville,  Ga.,  we  had  no- 
rest,  except  in  changing  cars,  when  we  were  counted  out 
and  counted  in  by  the  changed  guards.  We  reached 
Andersonville  after  dark,  and  were  immediately  marched 
to  the  stockade  and  told  to  shift  for  ourselves,  after 
being  informed  that  we  were  the  twenty-eighth  hundred 
there.  A  poor  reception  we  had,  in  a  night  as  dark  as 
ink,  in  a  strange  country,  turned  loose  in  a  swamp  hole;; 
all  light  of  hope  was  shut  out. 
27* 


318  SABRES   AND    SPURS. 

"The  Andersonville  pen  embraced  near  thirty  acres. 
The  stockade  was  of  pine  logs,  hewn  on  two  sides,  set  in 
a  trench,  so  close  together  that  it  was  nigh  impossible  to 
look  through.  About  twenty  or  twenty-five  feet  from 
the  stockade  was  the  dead-line — a  railing  about  four  feet 
high  to  keep  the  prisoners  from  approaching  the  stock 
ade.  On  top  of  the  stockade  were  the  boxes  in  which 
stood  the  guards.  Through  the  cam])  ran  a  small,  shal 
low  brook,  where  the  prisoners  obtained  their  water  for 
drinking,  cooking,  and  washing.  An  Alabama  regiment, 
doing  guard  duty,  washed  themselves  and  their  stuff  in 
the  water  before  it  reached  us;  and  thankful  we  were 
when  a  spring,  about  the  size  of  a  barrel,  was  found, 
almost  under  the  dead-line,  which  for  a  long  time  supplied 
us  with  water  for  cooking.  For  fifty  feet  or  more  from 
the  brook,  on  both  sides,  the  ground  was  very  miry,  and 
even  dangerous  to  walk  on,  being  full  of  very  ugly  stumps 
and  roots,  called  sweet-gum,  which,  by  the  way,  when 
steeped  in  water  made  a  drink  used  for  chronic  complaints. 

"  At  first  there  were  two  hospitals  in  the  camp,  and 
but  little  sickness,  the  mortality  averaging  six  or  eight 
per  day.  Our  rations  were  a  small  pint  of  corn  and  oat 
meal,  and  a  small  slice  of  beef,  all  of  which  could  have 
been  eaten  at  one  meal.  Cooking  utensils  were  scarce. 
If  one  had  a  pail  he  was  rich;  if  not,  why  do  the  best  he 
could.  We  made  mush  one  day  and  johnny-cake  the 
next,  mixing  the  meal  in  cold  water  and  baking  on  a 
pine  wood  slab.  Wood  was  obtained  outside  by  squads 
of  three  or  four  from  each  detachment  at  a  time,  under 
guard.  Some  brought  chips;  the  more  robust  brought 
limbs.  We  kept  fires  burning  on  account  of  the  chilly, 
dewy  nights,  and  for  those  suffering  from  chronic  com 
plaints;  the  majority  not  having  any  blankets  or  over 
coats  to  protect  them. 


1864.]  FIKST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  319 

-  "  We  finally  had  a  new  commandant,  named  Wirtz;  a 
very  brutal  and  inhuman  man  he  was.  He  revoked 
previous  regulations  and  issued  his  own.  The  day  after 
he  took  command  we  were  ordered  to  fall  into  line  to  be 
renumbered  and  give  each  his  name,  age,  height,  color 
of  hair  and  eyes,  rank,  company,  and  regiment,  when 
and  where  taken — all  put  down;  no  man  to  leave  the 
ranks  till  every  man  in  his  detachment  had  answered  the 
questions,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting  the  rations  of  the 
detachment  for  the  day.  The  sun  was  exceedingly  hot, 
and  the  most  of  the  camp  that  day  went  hungry.  From 
that  day  all  sorts  of  epithets  the  prisoners  could  think  of 
were  applied  to  him.  Having  occasion  to  visit  one  of 
the  hospitals,  a  New  York  man,  whose  rations  had  been 
cut  off,  hit  him  on  the  back  of  the  head  with  a  club. 
Soon  after  he  took  charge,  the  hospitals  were  removed  out 
side  the  stockade, where,  fortunately,  there  was  more  shade, 
as  the  prison  was  filling  up  so  that  we  were  cramped  for 
room — having  hardly  more  than  a  man  required  for  turn 
ing  over  when  lying  down. 

"  Various  means  were  resorted  to  by  the  men  to  effect 
their  escape;  some  tunneling  under  the  stockade,  that 
they  might  reach  Flint  River,  about  four  miles  away, 
and  run  down  in  a  dug-out  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  or 
entice  the  negroes  to  shelter  them,  and  so  elude  the 
blood-hounds  that  every  morning  made  the  circuit  of 
the  stockade  in  search  of  tracks  that  they  might  follow. 
Only  a  few,  however,  escaped  by  tunneling.  Some  would 
have  the  symptoms  of  small-pox  and  go  to  a  hospital 
about  three  miles  off,  and  get  the  negroes  to  pilot  them 
away.  Some  tried  by  doing  work  outside,  such  as  dig 
ging  graves  and  the  like. 

"  All  this  time  our  rations  were  growing  less;  the  more 
the  prisoners  increased,  the  less  rations  we  had.  I  have 


320  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

seen  a  table-spoonful  of  uncooked  rice  given  out  for  a 
day's  rations.  During  the  month  of  May  they  had  a 
cook  house  built  near  the  prison.  Then  they  began  to 
give  us  stock  peas,  so  called,  or  colored  beans,  which 
were  put  into  the  kettle  as  they  were  shoveled  from  the 
threshing  floor,  with  gravel  and  dirt.  This  lasted  a  few 
weeks  till  the  Alabama  colonel  introduced  a  fanning 
machine.  A  pint  cupful  of  beans  was  a  ration. 

"  Wirtz  conceived  the  idea  of  cooking  the  meal  instead 
of  issuing  it  raw,  and  a  disgusting  mess  he  made  of  it. 
The  mush  was  bailed  from  the  kettles  into  boxes,  hold 
ing  say  two  or  three  bushels,  in  the  middle  of  which  I 
have  seen  a  quantity  of  meal  the  size  of  a  half  bushel 
that  had  not  been  touched  by  the  water;  and  hungry  as 
we  were,  it  was  almost  impossible  to  eat  it.  Xo  salt  had 
ever  been  given  to  us  to  season  our  food  with;  but,  three 
or  four  times,  a  small  quantity  of  saltpetre-cured  meat 
was  given. 

"As  the  warm  weather  advanced,  the  mortality  in 
creased.  More  men  were  required  to  dig  graves  and 
bury  the  dead.  .Scurvy  became  so  prevalent  that  very 
many  could  not  eat  from  the  effects  of  it.  Their  gums 
and  limbs  swelled  to  bursting;  their  legs  contracted, 
drawing  the  feet  to  the  hips:  their  application  to  the 
surgeons  for  medicine  being  in  vain,  as  no  medicine  was 
to  be  had.  I  have  seen  men's  legs  so  swollen  that  they 
were  obliged  to  scarify  them  to  let  out  the  black,  dis 
eased  blood,  and  so  get  relief.  One  of  my  comrades  had 
the  scurvy  so  badly  that  he  could  shove  out  his  teeth 
with  his  tongue. 

"During  June  and  July  we  commenced  digging  wells 
on  the  side-hill  where  I  was.  "We  sunk  one  fifteen  feet, 
into  which  we  put  a  rice  cask,  obtained  from  the  com 
missary,  and  from  which  we  drew  with  a  quart  pail  tied 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  321 

to  a  strip  of  blanket.  The  spring  near  the  dead-line  had 
failed  to  supply  us.  Near  the  brook  we  were  attacked 
by  swarms  of  flies  that  keenly  annoyed  us;  and  if  we- 
went  before  sunrise  we  could  not  step  without  crushing 
into  the  ground  great  white  maggots  that  had  bred  in 
the  low  marsh.  They  would  crawl  up  from  the  brook 
in  the  night  and  in  the  morning  go  back.  From  this, 
one  can  judge  of  the  purity  of  the  water.  The  Confed 
erates,  seeing  so  many  dying  of  disease,  commenced  to 
straighten  and  deepen  the  brook  and  level  off  and  fill 
in  the  swamp. 

"  As  the  weather  became  hotter,  a  disease  called  gan 
grene  appeared,  and  attacked  the  healthy  as  well  as  the 
sick — if,  indeed,  there  were  any  now  healthy.  This  mor 
tification  would  generally  begin  in  the  mouth.  George 
West,  of  my  company,  had  the  half  of  his  upper  lip  and 
face  all  eaten  away. 

"An  order  was  given  that  we  should  be  vaccinated  by 
the  rebel  doctors.  I  showed  a  scar  where  a  dog  bit  me 
ten  years  before,  and  was  pronounced  all  right.  Those 
that  were  vaccinated  suffered  untold  misery.  I  saw  one 
man's  arm  eaten  to  the  bone. 

"In  July  the  stockade  was  enlarged  to  about  double 
its  original  size,  and  two  or  three  two-story  structures, 
open  on  the  sides  and  ends,  but  shingled,  were  put  up 
for  some  of  the  prisoners  to  lie  in,"  for  the  rebels  saw 
that  the  men  were  dying  so  fast  that  they  might  have 
none  to  exchange  with  the  United  States  Government. 
The  prisoners  were  dying  off  so  fast,  while  graves  could 
not  be  dug  as  fast,  that  the  rebels  put  up  a  dead-house 
to  receive  the  bodies  from  the  camp  and  hospitals;  and 
they  were  dying  very  fast  in  the  open  camp.  This  dead- 
house,  about  twenty-five  feet  square,  was  made  of  forked 
sticks  set  in  the  ground,  across  which  were  put  poles 


322  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

covered  with  tops  of  pine-trees,  to  keep  off  the  sun,  that 
in  July  heated  the  ground  so  that  one  could  not  well 
walk  on  it.  I  have  seen  the  dead  lying  outside  of  the 
dead-house,  covering  over  a  space  fifty  feet  square;  and 
when  they  had  a  hundred  or  more  graves  dug,  then  two 
negroes,  with  a  four  mule  team,  and  side  boards  to  the 
wagon,  would  come,  and,  one  taking  a  body  by  the  head, 
the  other  by  the  feet,  would  begin  to  load  up,  tossing  the 
bodies  into  the  wagon  as  men  would  load  logs;  and  so 
carried  the  dead  away  to  their  graves.  And  the  stench 
from  the  dead-house  was  so  great  that  we  could  hardly 
bear  it.  If  this  was  not  atrocious,  barbaric,  and  in 
human,  pray  tell  us  what  is. 

"Before  the  improvements  in  the  stockade,  in  June, 
the  suffering  was  very  great  near  the  brook.  It  rained 
more  or  less  every  day  for  twenty-two  days — some  very 
hard  thunder-showers,  followed  by  the  sun  breaking 
through  the  clouds  and  almost  melting  the  men  to  death. 
Meantime,  all  were  suffering  extremely  from  hunger.  I 
have  seen  men  vomit  up  their  ration  of  beans,  being  so 
hungry  that  they  had  not  stopped  to  chew  them;  and  I 
have  seen  men  pick  up  the  beans  out  of  the  mud  and  eat 
them.  Bones  when  found  were  broken  up  and  broiled 
for  the  little  fat  there  was  in  them.  Starvation  was 
preying  upon  the  camp. 

"From  our  regiment  there  were  between  sixty  and 
seventy  in  Andersonville,  and  before  the  first  of  July 
most  of  them  were  dead.  And  I  do  not  know  of  more 
than  three— E.  D.  Guild  (G),  A.  H.  Herrick  and  myself 
(A) — that  left  Andersonville  alive.  The  abominable 
character  of  the  prison  pen  will  be  apparent  from  this 
fact. 

"During  the  month  of  July  arrangements  were  made 
for  a  grand  tunneling  of  the  stockade,  and,  if  successful, 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  323 

a  release  of  all  the  prisoners.  The  plan  was  to  under 
mine  the  old  stockade  and  prop  it  up  beneath  with  slabs 
till  the  moment  of  escape;  and  the  plan  being  known  by 
our  men  on  duty  outside,  the  signal  agreed  upon  was  the 
discharge  of  a  pistol — the  men  outside  to  seize  the  Con 
federate  arms,  and  those  inside  to  capture  the  forts  that 
had  been  thrown  up  by  the  rebels  to  guard  the  camp: 
thus  securing  arms  and  ammunition,  to  steer  for  Sher 
man's  army.  The  plan  was  upset  by  a  man  who  blowed 
on  us  for  a  half  a  plug  of  tobacco.  But  he  paid  dear  for 
his  treachery  and  chewing.  As  soon  as  his  name  was 
found  out  he  was  tried  by  a  court-martial  of  the  prison 
ers,  and  sentenced  to  have  one-half  of  his  head  shared 
and  the  letter  T  (for  traitor)  burned  on  his  forehead, 
and  then  marched  around  the  camp  so  that  all  could  see 
him. 

"The  number  of  prisoners  now  reached  about  thirty 
thousand,  and  the  mortality  was  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  per  day.  At  this  rate  all  would  have  died  in  six 
months.  They  were  dying  so  rapidly  that  graves  could 
not  be  dug  fast  enough  by  the  men  detailed  outside  for 
that  purpose,  and  those  who  died  in  the  camp  were 
buried  there — this  adding  to. the  horrors  of  the  place. 
During  July  a  great  spoonful  or  two  of  molasses  was 
added  to  our  rations. 

"During  the  last  month  of  my  stay  I  saw  whole  regi 
ments  of  prisoners  from  Sherman's  army  kept  in  line  in 
front  of  Wirtz's  headquarters,  in  the  broiling  hot  sun, 
while  they  were  robbed  of  everything  they  possessed,  even 
to  a  jackknife,  and  then  were  turned  into  the  prison 
pen  without  anything  to  cook  a  meal's  victuals  with. 
Even  the  buttons  on  their  coats  and  blouses  were  cut  off, 
and.  hats  and  caps  and  shirts  were  taken  from  them. 
Wirtz  had  a  line  of  posts  set  across  the  camp,  and,  when 


324  SABRES  AND  SPURS,  [October, 

any  large  body  of  new  prisoners  arrived,  an  alarm -gun 
was  fired  with  blank  cartridge,  to  warn  us  not  to  gather 
in  a  body  inside  of  the  line  of  posts,  for  if  we  so  gathered 
he  would  shoot  us.  I  have  seen  many  men  shot  down  in 
cold  blood  by  the  sentry  while  they  were  reaching  under 
the  dead-line,  trying  to  get  a  cup  of  cold  water  from  the 
spring  to  drink;  and  the  guard  who  killed  a  Yankee 
near  the  dead-line  was  allowed,  for  his  fidelity  to  orders, 
two  weeks'  leave  of  absence,  and  if  he  killed  more  than 
one  he  was  promoted. 

"About  the  first  of  August,  arrangements  were  made 
for  a  transfer  of  some  of  the  prisoners  to  another  prison. 
Feeling  that  I  could  not  be  worse  off  wherever  I  was 
carried,  I  stole  away  with  the  first  detachment,  and  was 
taken  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  where  the  rebels  had  a  pen 
built,  with  framed  and  boarded  sides,  and  sentry-boxes 
on  the  top  for  guards.  There  the  same  old  way  of 
escape  was  adopted  and  more  successfully  carried  out,  as 
there  were  many  Union  men  and  women  in  Savannah 
who  would  shelter  all  that  escaped  from  the  rebel  grasp. 
The  negroes  would  pilot  such  as  escaped  into  the  low  rice 
fields,  and  carry  them  food  by  night.  I  know  of  some 
who  tunneled  out  the  first  night  we  were  in  Savannah, 
and  remained  in  the  city  over  two  months,  and  came 
home  on  the  same  boat  with  me  from  Fort  Pulaski. 
Our  rations  were  somewhat  better  on  our  first  arrival, 
but  were  afterwards  cut  down. 

"  Lieutenant  Davis — nephew  of  Jeff  Davis — was  here 
our  commandant — a  man  of  pure  brutality  and  cussed- 
ness.  He  tried  to  beat  Wirtz  in  meanness  and  barbarity, 
and  all  his  officers  and  soldiers  were  afraid  of  him. 
When  we  were  ordered  to  Millen  he  counted  out  the 
number  and  kept  us  outside  the  stockade  all  night,  un 
sheltered  in  a  heavy  rain  storm,  and  refused  us  rations. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  335 

"At  Millen  the  grounds  were  dry  and  somewhat  pro 
tected  by  trees,  but  it  now  being  October,  and  the  nights 
cold,  we  were  obliged  to  keep  fires.  Here  there  were  five 
or  six  hundred  prisoners,  and  plans  were  made  for  the 
winter  by  starting  ovens  and  issuing  baking  pans;  but 
Sherman's  march  to  the  sea  broke  up  all  this  in  a  meas 
ure.  The  rations  were  the  same  as  in  Andersonville  and 
Savannah,  but  sweet  potatoes  were  added — a  Godsend, 
indeed,  as  we  were  suffering  from  scurvy;  we  ate  them 
by  scraping  them  with  a  knife.  The  rebel  surgeons  took 
down  the  names  of  the  sick,  but  had  no  medicine  for  us. 

"After  we  had  been  in  Millen  four  or  five  weeks,  it  was 
proposed  to  release  the  sick  and  wounded — a  rumor  that 
we  doubted  till  we  saw  them  sent  away  by  the  hundred. 
Finally  an  order  came  for  all  imprisoned  over  nine 
months  to  fall  into  line,  and  that  included  me.  When 
we  signed  the  parole,  and  heard  the  rebels  say,  '  Good 
bye,  Yanks,'  and  wish  us  good  luck,  hope  began  to  fill 
our  sick  bodies.  On  arriving  in  Savannah  we  found 
boats  with  steam  up  at  the  Gas  Works  Wharf.  Waiting 
nearly  an  hour,  the  flag  of  truce  boat  arrived,  and  we 
were  ordered  aboard  the  boats,  and  away  we  went  from 
rebeldom,  as  happy  a  company  .of  men  as  ever  were 'seen. 
Running  down  the  river  an  hour  or  so,  we  came  in  sight 
of  the  transport  fleet,  and  were  transported  at  beholding 
again  the  Stripes  and  Stars.  Then  such  a  shout  went 
up  from  those  two  boat  loads  of  men  as  was  never  before 
heard.  In  three  days  from  Savannah  we  arrived  at 
Annapolis,  and  in  due  time  reached  our  loved  home." 


326  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

HOLDING     FA  ST. 
DECEMBER,  1863. 

the  return  of  the  army  from  Mine  Run,  the  Fifth 
Corps  was  designated  to  guard  the  Orange  and 
Alexandria  Railroad  from  the  front  back  to  Manassas; 
and  our  regiment,  with  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania,  were 
to  furnish  the  mounted  forces  for  this  duty.  Lieuten 
ant-Colonel  Thompson  was  put  in  charge  of  the  two  cav 
alry  regiments.  In  this  exposed  service  of  patrol  we 
spent  the  remaining  days  of  the  year.  As  we  were 
obliged  to  act  in  detachments,  the  regiment  was  now  for 
a  time  practically  broken  up. 

Troops  A,  B,  C,  and  D  were  placed  at  Rappahannock 
Station  and  Bealton,  under  command  of  Captain  Gould. 
Troops  E,  F,  G,  and  H  were  stationed  at  Warrenton 
Junction,  in  our  old  "Camp  Mud,"  now  made  comfort 
able,  under  command  of  Captain  Rogers.  Troops  I,  K, 
L,  and  M,  with  the  headquarters  of  the  regiment,  were 
at  Catlett  Station,  under  Major  Farrington. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson,  being  in  command  of 
all  the  cavalry,  established  his  headquarters  with  the  bat 
talion  at  Warrenton  Junction,  it  being  near  the  centre 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  327 

of  the  line  and  easy  of  access  to  the  city  of  Warrenton, 
where  were  the  .headquarters  of  the  cavalry  division. 
The  grand  headquarters  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
were  now  at  Brandy  Station.  Thus  we  made  ready  for 
the  storms  and  snows  and  war  experiences  of  winter. 

In  this  duty  of  guarding  and  holding  fast,  though  it 
was  winter — and  Virginia  winters  are  only  three  or  four 
degrees  milder  than  those  of  New  England— we  had  gen 
erally  quite  an  easy  time,  first,  because  of  the  great  con 
trast  between  this  service  and  the  long  and  heavy  fighting 
of  the  year,  and  secondly,  because  two  years  of  service 
had  so  educated  us  that  we  knew  how  to  endure  hard 
ships  and  make  our  camps  comfortable. 

Another  visit  of  the  Paymaster,  about  the  middle  of 
December,  was  suitably  appreciated;  and  Major  Monroe, 
our  ever  welcome  friend,  brought  us  kind  words  from 
our  homes,  and  took  home  funds  to  our  families. 

December  19th.  Our  band  returned  to  us,  having 
been  at  General  Pleasan ton's  headquarters  for  nearly 
three  months.  We  were  always  happy  in  the  animation 
which  they  imparted.  Music  in  a  camp  and  on  a  march 
is  a  real  blessing  to  a  soldier. 

During  our  association  with  the  infantry  regiments 
stationed  near  us,  many  friends  were  made  among  offi 
cers  and  men;  and  now  we  painfully  remember  how 
many  of  them  afterwards  fell  in  the  terrible  battles  of 
the  Wilderness. 

The  troop  posted  at  Bealton  Station,  being  alone,  was 
greatly  exposed  to  attacks  from  guerrillas.  Once  they 
were  assaulted  at  midnight,  and  had  two  men  wounded. 
To  protect  themselves  in  the  future,  they  made  a  barri 
cade  completely  around  their  camp,  using  poles  and  tops 
of  trees,  and  at  night  stretched  lines  of  telegraph  wire 
across  the  entrance,  thus  making  an  extemporized  forti- 


328  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 

fication,   and   illustrating   the   inventive   bent   of   their 
Yankee  genius. 

December  31st.  The  strength  of  the  regiment  was  as 
follows: 

1.  Present.     Officers,  20;  enlisted  men,  409:   total, 
429. 

2.  Officers  absent.     On  detached   service,  10;   with 
leave,  4;   prisoners,  6:   total,  20. 

3.  Enlisted  men  absent.     On  detached  service,   49; 
with  leave,  6;  sick,  125;  in  arrest,  1;  prisoners  of  war, 
88:  total,  272. 

4.  Present  and  absent.     Officers,  40;  enlisted   men, 
681:  aggregate,  721. 

We  had  suffered  a  loss  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
during  the  year.  Ah!  how  our  hearts  went  back  to 
those  who  had  left  us.  * 

During  the  year  1863  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had 
passed  through  great  experiences  of  labor,  suffering,  and 
loss;  but  it  also  won  some  important  victories— memor 
ably  that  of  Gettysburg. 

Elsewhere,  during  the  year,  the  Federal  forces  had 
made  important  advances;  and  on  all  sides  the  Confed 
eracy  was  being  fatally  bruised  and  crippled. 

Rosecrans  had  driven  Bragg  from  Murfreesboro,  and 
finally  over  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  and  at  last  had 
captured  Chattanooga,  successfully  leading  fifty-five  thou 
sand  men  against  seventy  thousand,  losing  sixteen  thou 
sand,  while  the  enemy  lost  eighteen  thousand. 

Burnside  had  captured  Knoxville  and  Cumberland 
Gap,  and  two  thousand  men. 

Grant  had  reduced  Port  Gibson,  Grand  Gulf,  and 
Vicksburg — victories  that  led  Port  Hudson  to  surrender 
to  General  Banks. 

Gillmore  had  seized   Morris   Island,   captured   Forts 


1863.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  329 

Wagner  and  Gregg,  and  reduced  Fort  Sumter  to  "a 
shapeless  and  harmless  mass  of  ruins." 

Of  blockade  runners  we  had  taken  more  than  three 
hundred  prizes,  about  one-third  of  which  were  steamers. 
Commander  Worden  had  destroyed  the  rebel  privateer 
Nashville,  and  Captain  Rogers  (of  the  Weehawken)  had 
captured  the  iron-clad  ram  Atlanta. 

Grierson  had  made  his  famous  cavalry  raid  in  Missis 
sippi  of  eight  hundred  miles,  destroying  property  worth 
four  millions  of  dollars,  and  capturing  a  thousand  rebels. 

Morgan's  three  thousand  raiding  cavalry  and  battery 
of  artillery  had  been  killed,  scattered  or  captured,  Mor 
gan  himself  being  a  prisoner. 

Grant,  with  Thomas,  Sherman,  and  Hooker,  had  sig 
nally  vanquished  Bragg  at  Lookout  Mountain. 

West  Virginia  had  been  admitted  to  the  Union  as  a 
new  State. 

The  territory  of  the  rebels  had  been  effectually  severed 
by  the  opening  of  the  Mississippi.  Their  efforts  to  ex 
cite  mobs  in  the  loyal  States,  through  their  copperheaded 
Northern  sympathizers,  as  in  the  city  of  New  York,  had 
signally  failed  and  reacted  upon  them.  The  Emancipa 
tion  Proclamation  had  deprived  them  of  their  last  hope 
of  foreign  recognition,  and  turned  the  sympathies  and 
hands  of  all  the  African  race  to  the  side  of  the  Union. 
More  than  fifty  thousand  colored  troops  were  already 
serving  efficiently  and  bravely  with  the  boys  in  blue. 


330  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [January, 


CHAPTER   XL. 

RE-ENLISTING    OF    VETERANS. 
JANUARY—  MARCH,  1864. 


the  commencement  of  1864  began  the 
re-enlistment  of  the  old  soldiers  of  the  war. 
Many  had  now  served  more  than  two  years;  some  two 
and  a  half.  The  original  enlistment  was  for  three  years, 
unless  the  war  should  sooner  end.  It  was  now  foreseen 
that  the  struggle  must  consume  at  least  another  year. 
Hence  the  offer  was  made  to  the  veteran  troops  of  the 
Union  of  a  handsome  bounty  and  a  long  furlough,  if 
they  would  enlist  for  a  new  term;  and  all  such  were  to 
be  honorably  denominated  "  The  Veterans."  They  were 
doubly  worthy  of  a  distinguishing  name;  originally  the 
best  and  most  patriotic  men  in  the  army,  they  had  ac 
quired  skill  with  their  scars,  and  were  altogether  invalu 
able  men. 

Here  it  may  be  suitable  to  remark  that  our  army,  as  a 
whole,  was  animated  by  the  truest  and  noblest  spirit. 
Some  may  suppose  that  the  spirit  of  revenge  enters  into 
warfare.  It  was  not  so,  as  a  general  thing,  in  our  civil 
struggle.  Though  there  were  very  many  things  to  exas 
perate,  the  heart  of  the  army  beat  only  to  great  princi- 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  331 

pies.  It  was  our  aim  to  overthrow  rebellion,  defeat  dis 
union,  and  advance  human  liberty.  We  looked  upon 
the  armed  Confederates  as  the  enemies  of  our  Govern 
ment  and  of  the  interests  of  mankind.  When  they  were 
captured  or  surrendered  they  were  treated  with  the  same 
kindness  that  we  would  show  to  any  strangers.  They 
were  never  maltreated,  or  starved,  or  robbed,  or  exposed 
in  shelterless  pens,  or  poisoned  in  their  food,  as  were 
multitudes  of  our  soldiers  in  the  Southern  prisons.  On 
our  part  the  war  was  a  sacred  cause,  and  was  conducted 
with  such  principles  and  spirit  as  we  are  proud  to  record. 

Early  in  December,  1863,  circulars  were  sent  out  giv 
ing  the  general  terms  of  re-enlistment.  None  could  re- 
enlist  unless  they  had  served  two  years.  At  first  but 
little  was  said  about  the  matter;  but  the  more  it  was 
considered  the  more  favorable  was  its  reception.  Finally 
it  was  thoroughly  discussed  in  the  tents.  It  was  amusing 
to  hear  the  opinions  expressed.  Sargent  thus  describes 
the  movement  and  his  own  experience: 

"  Sometime  in  the  fall  an  order  was  issued  from  the 
War  Department  allowing  all  who  had  served  two  years 
to  re-enlist.  Stump  speakers  went  round  to  the  different 
camps,  stirring  up  with  a  long  pole,  in  the  shape  of 
speeches,  the  patriotism  of  the  soldiers, — on  the  same 
principle  as  they  do  just  before  a  political  election  at 
home.  One  evening  a  cavalry  regiment  passed  by  our 
camp,  talking,  laughing,  singing,  and  the  like.  I  thought 
they  felt  unusually  happy,  so  I  asked,  '  Where  you  going 
boys?'  'Going  home;  we  have  re-enlisted.'  'Bully  for 
you,'  said  I.  It  was  enough  to  make  a  soldier  feel  happy: 
the  idea  of  seeing  home  again  after  an  absence  of  two 
years.  But  the  prospect  of  three  years'  more  service  ly 
ing  behind  the  furlough  was  not  very  encouraging,  I 
thought,  to  look  ahead  to. 


332  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [January, 

"About  the  latter  part  of  December  the  re-enlisting 
officers  got  round  to  our  camps-.  We  were  drawn  up  in 
line  to  learn  the  propositions  set  forth,  and  listen  to 
speeches.  While  they  were  collecting  a  sufficient  quan 
tity  of  wind,  the  band  played  several  soul-stirring  and 
patriotic  airs.  Then  several  speakers  made  short  re 
marks,  telling  us  what  a  righteous,  holy,  and  noble  cause 
we  were  fighting  in;  how  sweet  it  was  to  die  for  one's 
country  (but  I  was  not  particularly  fond  of  sweet  things 
about  that  time);  how  the  rebels  were  getting  discour 
aged;  their  food  was  giving  out;  they  were  deserting  by 
thousands;  the  backbone  of  the  rebellion  was  broken 
(once  more);  the  war  would  end  in  about  a  year,  etc. 
Then  the  band  struck  up.  After  giving  three  cheers, 
the  men  went  to  their  tents.  '  Going  to  re-enlist,  Sarg?' 
'No;  I  don't  see  it.  Three  years  are  enough  for  me.' 

"  The  next  day  an  officer  went  to  each  company  to 
take  down  the  names  of  those  willing  to  re-enlist.  A 
great  number  were  in  favor  of  it.  The  rest  were  given 
several  days  for  thinking  the  matter  over.  During  that 
time  many  more  signed  their  names,  including  my  bunky. 
Then  I  began  to  look  at  it  in  a  sober  way,  lying  awake 
nights,  thinking  of  both  sides  of  the  question.  I  had 
got  one  more  year  to  serve  anyhow.  If  the  war  should 
last  three  years  longer,  I  would  stand  a  chance  of  being 
drafted  during  the  other  two  years;  and  if  it  did  not  last 
but  one  year,  I  would  lose  the  furlough  and  bounty  both 
by  not  re-enlisting.  The  inducements  held  out  were  as 
follows:  From  the  Government,  four  hundred  dollars; 
from  the  State,  three  hundred  dollars;  and  thirty  days' 
furlough.  The  bait  was  so  good  that  a  great  many  were 
caught.  And  the  desire  to  see  home  again  after  a  two 
years'  absence  was  so  great  that  I  at  last  yielded,  and 
signed  my  name." 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  333 

January  llth.  The  following  order  was  received  at 
the  headquarters  of  the  regiment: 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  ) 
WASHINGTON,  January  7,  1864.      \ 
[SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  9.] 

[Extract.] 

5.  Companies  I,  K,  L,  and  M,  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  are 
hereby  permanently  detached  from  that  regiment,  and  will  be 
considered  as  New  Hampshire  cavalry  companies,  they  having 
been  enrolled  and  mustered  into  service  in  that  State. 

All  further  appointments  of  officers  for  the  said  companies  will 
be  made  by  the  Governor  of  New  Hampshire,  by  whom  a  proper 
numerical  designation  will  be  given  to  the  force. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War: 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 
Official: 
E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

There  being  comparatively  few  of  the  regiment  to  re 
main  in  the  field  while  the  Veterans  were  on  their  fur 
lough,  efforts  were  made  to  have  the  regiment  go  home 
in  a  body  on  leave.  Application  was  made  to  Governor 
Smith  to  use  his  influence  to  that  end,  and  the  following 
reply  was  received: 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  | 
PROVIDENCE,  January  21,  1864.      ) 
Major  P.  M.  Farrington,  First  RJiode  Island  Cavalry: 

I  am  directed  by  His  Excellency,  the  Governor,  to  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  llth  inst. ,  requesting 
that  your  regiment  may  be  ordered  home  to  recruit.  In  reply,  I 
would  state  that  under  existing  circumstances  it  is  not  deemed 
practicable  to  have  any  of  our  regiments  come  home  in  a  body. 

Colonel  Thompson,  of  your  regiment,  has  called  upon  His 
Excellency,  who  explained  to  him  the  causes  for  this  decision. 


334  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [January, 

The  question  of  officers  for  your  regiment,  i.  e. ,  which  shall  go 
with  the  New  Hampshire  battalion,  and  which  remain,  will  be 
referred  to  the  War  Department. 

I  am,  Major, 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  E.  BAILEY,  Colonel,  A.  A.  D.  C. 

The  cause  for  this  reply  was  that  the  Third  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry  was  recruiting,  and  was  enlisting  men 
very  slowly,  and  it  was  thought  if  our  regiment  should 
be  allowed  to  come  home  and  recruit,  it  would  hinder 
the  filling  up  of  the  Third.  Moreover,  it  would  banish 
all  ideas  of  consolidating  the  two  regiments  into  one, 
which  was  contemplated  at  this  time, — the  organization 
when  completed  to  be  known  as  the  Third  Rhode  Island 
Cavalry,  thereby  making  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry 
a  command  of  the  past.  Our  regiment,  however,  had 
many  friends  at  home  and  in  official  circles,  excepting 
the  Executive  of  the  State,  who  had  given  the  regiment 
no  support,  but  continued  to  exert  all  his  influence 
against  its  preservation  as  a  separate  command.  A  com 
munication  was  sent  to  the  Adjutant-General,  who  was 
always  a  firm  friend  to  the  regiment,  and  who  replied 
thus: 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  &c.,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  | 
PROVIDENCE,  February  2,  1864.      \ 
Mtjor  P.  ^f  Farrington,  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry: 

Major: — Your  communication  of  January  18th  has  been  duly 
received,  and  the  views  therein  contained  I  fully  appreciate.  I 
have  explained  the  case  to  the  Governor,  and  it  rests  with  him  to 
take  such  a  course  as  he  deems  best.  My  own  opinion  is  that  the 
First  Cavalry  has  too  honorable  a  reputation  to  be  made  secondary 
to  any  other  regiment  either  in  or  out  of  the  field.  Trusting 
everything  may  be  done  to  promote  its  interests,  I  remain, 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

E.  C.  MAURAN,  Adjutant-General. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  335 

In  this  connection  we  may  make  grateful  record  of  our 
indebtedness  to  ex-Governors  H.  B.  Anthony  and  Wil 
liam  Sprague— at  this  time  in  the  United  States  Senate 
— who,  by  their  wide  influence  in  Rhode  Island  and  in 
both  legislative  and  military  circles  in  Washington,  al 
ways  secured  for  us  the  recognition  of  our  many  services 
and  claims,  and  happily  advanced  the  just  interests  of 
our  officers  and  men.  But  for  their  timely  and  manly 
intervention  and  influential  appeals  in  our  behalf,  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  the  offensive  and  unjust  propo 
sition  for  our  consolidation  would  have  been  carried  into 
effect. 

January  18th.  Our  re-enlisted  men  were  mustered 
out  of  our  original  term  of  service  and  remastered  as 
Veterans.  The  whole  number  that  re-enlisted,  first  and 
last,  was  two  hundred  and  sixty.  Indeed,  with  but  few 
exceptions,  save  our  losses,  those  who  had  been  in  ser 
vice  more  than  two  years  engaged  anew. 

On  the  night  of  this  day,  one  of  our  houses,  as  we 
grandiloquently  called  them,  caught  fire  and  threatened 
us  with  a  conflagration;  but  resolving  ourselves  into 
firemen  we  subdued  the  enemy,  though  we  lost  the 
building.  Loss — clothing,  rations,  tent  cloths,  etc.;  no 
insurance. 

January  25th.  The  band  serenaded  General  Ayres  at 
his  headquarters  at  Catlett  Station,  he  being  in  com 
mand  of  the  Regulars  at  that  place. 

January  27th.  The  officers  of  the  first  battalion,  at 
Warrenton  Junction,  by  special  request  of  Colonel  Jenk 
ins,  commanding  the  infantry  brigade  at  that  point, 
attended  the  funeral  of  Captain  Sackett,  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-fifth  Pennsylvania  Infantry:  our  band 
discoursing  the  dirges  and  marches.  How  solemn  and 
impressive  a  military  funeral  is  in  the  field,  and  in  mid- 


336  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

winter,  and  on  the  army  front.  Our  superb  band  was 
everywhere  welcomed  and  handsomely  entertained. 

February  1st.  Charles  H.  Maine  and  Leonard  W. 
Atwood  (Troop  E)  were  captured  just  outside  of  our 
picket  lines,  near  Warrenton  Junction. 

February  2d.  What  was  quite  uncommon  for  this 
season  of  the  year,  we  were  visited  by  a  heavy  thunder 
storm. 

February  4th.  Stephen  R.  Ide  (Troop  H)  was  cap 
tured  while  going  from  Warrenton  Junction  to  Catlett 
Station.  Alas  for  the  fate  of  most  of  our  captured  men; 
it  was  worse  than  death.  This  man  died  in  the  Ander- 
sonville  pen — that  unutterable  abomination  forever  to  be 
accredited  to  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

February  5th.  Our  band,  on  a  cheering  tour,  sere 
naded  General  Bartlett  at  Rappahannock  Station,  and, 
tarrying  there  with  our  third  battalion,  received  very 
urgent  solicitations  to  remain  a  few  days  and  play  at  a 
ball;  but,  after  playing  at  the  headquarters  (Fifth  Corps) 
of  General  Sykes,  went  to  'Bealton  and  serenaded  Colonel 
Schwitzer,  commanding  the  post  and  our  men  at  that 
station. 

February  9th.  Our  band  furnished  music  at  a  brigade 
review  of  the  infantry  at  Warrenton  Junction — a  Zouave 
brigade,  in  new  and  gay  uniform,  making  a  fine  appear 
ance;  loose  breeches,  short  jackets,  some  trimmed  with 
red,  some  with  yellow:  all  having  white  turbans  with  red 
centres  and  yellow  tassels. 

Near  this  time  some  of  our  boys  at  Catlett  Station 
came  nigh  being  entrapped.  The  young  ladies  of  Weaver- 
ville  (a  small  village  near  by)  arranged  for  a  dance,  and 
engaged  the  services  of  a  fiddler  from  our  regiment, 
giving  out  that  it  would  be  a  free  affair.  Some  of  our 
men  were  anxious  to  attend  and  see  the  fun,  but  the 


18G4.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  337 

officers,  hearing  of  the  matter,  had  a  double  guard 
placed  around  the  camp  for  the  night,  frustrating  the 
arrangement.  But  one  of  the  boys  managed  to  slip  the 
guard  and  reached  the  house,  where  he  waited  for  the 
rest  to  put  in  their  appearance.  But  while  waiting  he 
heard  horses'  hoofs,  and,  catching  the  idea,  rushed  for 
the  door  and  escaped  just  in  time  to  see  fifteen  guerrillas 
surround  the  house.  The  trick  was  shrewdly  planned, 
but  failed  in  execution.  This  was  an  additional  illustra 
tion  of  the  Union  sentiments  of  Virginia  females.  The 
next  day  these  polite  young  ladies  were  not  to  be 
found. 

February  14th.  A  marked  day.  The  New  Hampshire 
battalion,  greatly  to  our  sorrow,  in  obedience  to  orders 
left  us.  When  raised  to  a  regiment,  as  they  shortly  were, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson  became  their  Colonel— 
and  a  worthy  officer  he  was  in  every  respect,  whose  mem 
ory  will  ever  fondly  live  with  us  all.  The  old  battalion 
of  White  Mountain  men — now  real  veterans — was  a 
noble  one — none  nobler — of  unalloyed  spurs  and  keenest 
sabres,  as  the  scars  of  the  rebels  will  fully  confess.  We 
were  sorry,  indeed,  beyond  what  our  choking  words 
could  express,  to  part  with  such  intelligent,  kind,  brother 
ly,  faithful,  heroic  men,  with  whom  we  had  marched  so 
many  hundred  miles,  endured  so  much  suffering,  and 
fought  so  many  severe  battles.  Yes,  forever  they  are 
one  with  us.  But  wre  did  not  blame  New  Hampshire  for 
•coveting  their  name  and  deeds:  they  were  her  children. 

The  following  statistics  and  remarks  are  taken  from 
the  reports  of  the  Adjutant-General  of  New  Hampshire: 

"  Commissioned  officers  of  New  England  Cavalry  (old 

•designation)    accounted   for   in   aggregate:     Honorably 

discharged,  three;  killed  or  died  of  wounds,  two;  died 

of  disease,  one;  dishonorably  discharged,  one;  promoted 

29 


338  SABRES  AXD  SPURS.  [February, 

out  of  regiment,  one;  promoted  in  regiment,  eight: 
whole  number  of  commissions  issued,  twenty. 

"  The  four  companies  of  the  New  Hampshire  battalion 
of  New  England  Cavalry  lost  the  largest  proportion  of 
officers,  reaching  one-fourth  of  the  whole  number. 

" Enlisted  men  accounted  for  in  aggregate:  Killed 
or  died  of  wounds,  eleven;  died  of  disease,  fifteen;  mus 
tered  out  at  expiration  of  term,  five;  honorably  dis 
charged  for  disease  and  other  causes,  one  hundred  and 
twenty-eight;  transferred  to  First  New  Hampshire  Cav 
alry,  one  hundred  and  twelve;  deserted,  twenty-six;  de 
serted  and  captured  or  returned,  two;  promoted  to  com 
missioned  officers  or  non-commissioned  staff,  nine;  not 
officially  accounted  for,  thirteen;  absent  when  battalion 
was  mustered  out  and  not  since  accounted  for,  two;  re- 
enlisted,  •ninety-eight:  whole  number  to  be  accounted 
for,  four  hundred  and  nineteen.  ; 

"From  the  above  record  it  will  be  seen  that  during 
the  two  years  of  service  of  the  New  Hampshire  battalion 
with  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  of  four  hundred 
and  nineteen  enlisted  men,  one  hundred  and  fifty-four 
were  killed,  died  of  wounds,  or  were  honorably  dis 
charged  for  disease." 

The  same  day  (February  14th)  the  veterans  of  the 
Rhode  Island  battalions  left  for  home  on  their  furloughs, 
accompanied  by  Captain  John  Rogers  and  Captain  Charles 
H.  Thayer;  and  were  followed  a  few  days  after  by  Cap 
tain  Allen.  Baker,  Jr.,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Albert 
Utter.  On  their  way  through  Washington  our  band 
indulged  in  music,  in  reference  to  which,  the  next  morn 
ing  (February  ICth),  the  following  item  appeared  in  the 
Washington  Chronicle: 

"  Serenade.  The  band  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cav 
alry  took  position  in  front  of  the  National  Hotel  about 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  339 

eleven  o'clock  yesterday  morning  and  paid  a  fit  tribute 
of  respect  to  Major-Generals  Sickles  and  Kilpatriok, 
who,  with  their  respective  staffs,  are  stopping  there. 
They  gave  them  a  delicious  serenade,  commencing  with 
'  Hail  to  the  Chief,'  and  followed  by  a  superior  execution 
of  several  other  soul-stirring  airs  highly  creditable  to  the 
band  and  pleasing  to  those  who  listened." 

After  the  departure  of  the  New  Hampshire  battalion, 
and  the  veterans  had  entered  upon  their  furlough,  the 
remaining  portions  of  the  regiment  from  their  different 
stations  concentrated  at  Rappahannock  Station.  Shortly 
after,  the  following  order  was  received  with  great  dis 
favor  not  only  at  the  headquarters  of  our  regiment  but 
at  the  different  headquarters  of  the  army,  for  we  were 
widely  known  and  esteemed: 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  | 
WASHINGTON,  February  16-,  1864.      f 
[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  76.] 

[Extract.] 

11.  Four  companies  of  New  Hampshire  cavalry  having  been 
detached  from  the  First  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  the  re 
maining  portion  of  that  regiment  and  the  companies  now  recruited 
for  the  Third  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  are  hereby  consolidated,  and 
the  combined  force  will  bear  the  designation  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Volunteer  Cavalry. 

Regimental  and  company  commanders,  in  designating  the  com 
panies,  will  retain  the  original  company  letters.  When  the  details 
of  the  consolidation  shall  have  been  completed,  a  complete  return 
of  the  First  Regiment,  embracing  all  the  changes,  will  he  for 
warded  to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  Army. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War: 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

This  order,  from  the  general  feeling  in  the  regiment 
and  among  our  friends,  and  from  the  interposition  of 


340  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

strong  Rhode  Island  men  previously  referred  to,  was 
shortly  after  its  issue  wisely  annulled.  But  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  Washington,  preparatory  to  transporta 
tion  to  the  Department  of  the  Gulf — a  step  fortunately 
never  carried  out. 

The  late  changes  among  us  had  been  somewhat  trying 
to  our  old  and  tender  attachments.  And  especially  did 
we  regret  to  part  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson. 
He  had  come  to  us  a  perfect  stranger,  and  by  his  gentle 
manly  conduct  and  easy  yet  dignified  ways  had  won  the 
respect  and  love  of  all  the  officers  and  men.  His  cool 
ness  in  the  hour  of  danger  was  remarkable.  His  execu 
tive  abilities,  shown  while  in  command  of  the  regiment, 
could  not  be  surpassed.  Feeling  our  own  loss,  we  could 
only  envy  the  New  Hampshire  cavalry  in  having  such  a 
gentleman,  scholar,  patriot,  and  soldier  to  lead  them. 

In  March,  as  some  others  in  the  field  had  re-enlisted 
and  were  about  to  have  their  furlough,  the  whole  com 
mand,  in  view  of  merit  and  heroic  services,  received 
leave  of  absence  to  visit  their  homes — a  great  joy  as  well 
as  a  deserved  compliment  to  our  war-worn,  honor-scarred 
boys.  Under  Major  Farrington,  we  reached  Providence, 
R.  I.,  March  26th.  In  behalf  of  the  city  and  the  State, 
the  Marine  Artillery  received  .us  as  we  landed,  firing  a 
gracious  salute  and  acting  as  our  escort.  The  full  cere 
monies  of  reception  took  place  in  Howard  Hall — the  best- 
in  the  city — where  an  ample  collation  was  served  under 
the  accomplished  purveyor,  L.  H.  Humphreys.  The 
warm  welcoming  address  flowed  in  happy  terms  from  the 
lips  and  heart  of  Adjutant-General  E.  C.  Mauran,  a 
greatly  esteemed  friend  of  the  regiment.  Shortly,  His 
Honor,  Lieutenant-Governor  Padelford,  coming  in,  was 
cheered,  and  gave  us  a  hearty  address,  paying  the  sabred 
men  a  just  tribute,  and  rejoicing  with  them  on  their 


1864.]  FIKST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  341 

home  visit.  In  fitting  and  feeling  phrase  Major  Far- 
rington  responded  for  us,  and  assured  the  authorities 
and  people  of  Rhode  Island  that,  as  they  had  had  no  oc 
casion  in  the  past  to  blush  for  the  sabres  and  spurs  they 
had  sent  into  the  fiery  field,  so  they  should  not  be  disap 
pointed  in  the  future;  our  deeds  were  our  endorsement. 

The  joy  of  officers  and  men  on  reaching  their  homes, 
after  an  absence  of  more  than  two  years  and  their  unut 
terable  experiences  under  the  war  clouds  in  Virginia, 
was  too  deep,  tender,  and  sacred  for  language  to  describe. 
That  our  men  were  everywhere  honored  is  telling  but  a 
part  of  the  truth.  Our  history  was  with  the  people;  our 
scars  were  our  passport. 

A  few  of  our  men,  on  detached  service  with  the  army 
on  the  front,  were  unable  to  join  us  on  our  home  visit. 
Of  these,  three  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  enemy  on  the 
31st  of  March,— C.  E.  Gould,  M.  C.  Lynch,  and  H.  West, 
all  of  Troop  A. 

A.  B.  Hill  (Troop  C)  died  in  hospital  February  2, 
1864. 


29* 


342  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 


CHAPTER    XLI. 

RETURNING    TO    THE    FRONT. 
APKIL— JUNE,  1864. 

HE  memorable  campaigns  of  1864  were  now  about 
to  open.  Henceforward  the  armies  of  the  United 
States  were  to  be  under  the  direction  of  one  mind,  and 
to  be  moved  simultaneously  in  closing  in  for  the  final 
grapple  with  the  armies  of  the  Confederacy.  General 
Grant  had  been  chosen  Lieutenant-General  of  the  Union 
forces,  and  came  to  the  head  of  affairs  in  Virginia  early 
in  the  year.  March  and  April  were  occupied  in  reorgan 
izing  the  commands  and  fitting  them  for  action. 

The  cavalry  corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was 
reconstructed,  and  many  changes  were  made  in  its  gen 
eral  officers.  Major-General  Philip  H.  Sheridan  was 
appointed  commander  of  the  corps,  vice  General  Alfred 
Pleasanton,  sent  to  the  Western  Department.  Brigadier- 
General  A.  T.  A.  Torbert  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  first  division,  having  been  transferred  from  the  Sixth 
Corps.  Brigadier-General  D.  M.  McGregg  retained  com 
mand  of  the  second  division.  Brigadier-General  James 
Wilson  was  chosen  to  the  command  of  the  third  division. 
Brigadier-General  Judson  Kilpatrick  had  been  assigned 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  343 

to  duty  with  General  Sherman  in  the  West.  Brigadier- 
General  John  Buford  had  died  of  typhoid  fever  in  Wash 
ington  during  the  winter. 

The  brigades  composing  the  first  division,  to  which  we 
were  subsequently  assigned,  were  commanded  as  follows: 
First  brigade,  General  G.  A.  Ouster;  second  brigade, 
Colonel  T.  C.  Devin;  cavalry  reserve,  Brigadier-General 
Wesley  Merritt. 

April  8th.  We  again  left  Providence,  R.  L,  in  two 
detachments,  for  Stonington,  where  we  took  the  steamer 
Commonwealth  for  New  York,  arriving  in  that  city  at  six 
o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  marched  to  the  Park  Bar 
racks,  where  we  quartered  during  our  stay.  Owing  to  an 
informality  in  the  order  moving  us  from  Rhode  Island, 
we  remained  in  New  York  until  April  13th.  The  men 
were  given  the  liberty  of  the  city,  save  to  report  at  reveille 
and  retreat  roll-calls,  as  they  disliked  to  be  kept  in  bar 
racks  under  "home  guards."  And  it  is  only  justice  to 
the  men  to  state  that  they  behaved  with  complete  propri 
ety  and  were  everywhere  heartily  welcomed.  One  of  the 
New  York  papers  affirmed  that  they  were  the  most  gentle 
manly  regiment  that  had  passed  through  the  city.  To 
Colonel  Almy,  our  worthy  State  Agent,  who  was  very 
attentive  to  us  all,  we  were  indebted  for  many  substan 
tial  kindnesses. 

April  13th.  We  crossed  to  Jersey  City  and  took  a 
special  train  for  Philadelphia,  the  officers  and  band  oc 
cupying  the  rear  car.  Every  man  was  with  us,  except 
the  few  transferred  to  the  hospital.  Our  band  played  as 
we  passed  through  the  towns  on  our  route,  and  at  the 
stations  we  were  amused  by  the  usual  peddlers,  having 
hard  boiled  eggs — three  for  ten  cents — sandwiches,  gum 
drops,  fruit,  and  candy — Yankee  spice.  Reaching  Phil 
adelphia  in  the  evening,  we. marched  to  the  Cooper  Shop 


344  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [April, 

Refreshment  Saloon  and  received,  for  the  third  time,  the 
hospitality  and  words  of  encouragement  of  the  noble 
Philadelphians.  Leaving  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love  at 
ten  P.  M.,  travelling  all  night,  we  reached  Baltimore  at 
ten  A.  M.  of  the  14th,  where  we  took  a  lunch  at  the 
"  Soldiers'  Rest,"  and  then  hastened  to  Washington,  arriv 
ing  at  four  o'clock  P.  M.  Here  we  went  to  the  Soldiers' 
Barracks;  but,  by  permission  of  Major  Farrington,  and 
in  consideration  of  previous  good  conduct,  the  men  were 
allowed  the  range  of  the  city,  to  report  at  the  barracks 
at  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning. 

April  15th.  Left  the  barracks  at  noon  for  the  remount 
camp — Camp  Stoneman — four  miles  from  Washington, 
near  Geesboro  Point,  where  we  received  tents  and  formed 
a  regular  camp.  Quite  a  change  again  from  our  home 
scenes,  to  which  was  added  the  outlook  upon  the  field. 
A  little  difficult  at  first  to  fall  back  upon  war  rations; 
but  we  could  do  it;  it  was  for  our  country.  In  the  eve 
ning  our  band  serenaded  the  commandant  of  the  camp, 
Colonel  J.  B.  Mclntosh.  Situated  on  a  high  piece  of 
ground  near  the  Potomac,  we  had  a  view  of  Washington, 
Alexandria,  and  the  surrounding  country,  and  could  see 
the  steamers  on  their  war  errands  running  up  and  down 
the  river,  with  troops,  cattle,  Government  stores,  and  am 
munition.  Receiving  new  uniforms,  arms,  and  equip 
ments,  we  commenced  regular  drills,  in  prepartion  for 
taking  the  front. 

April  24th.  Saw  a  wagon  train  five  or  six  miles  in 
length  crossing  Long  Bridge  on  its  way  to  the  front. 
How  we  became  accustomed  to  the  great  and  awful 
movements  of  war. 

April  25th/  General  Burnside's  Ninth  Army  Corps 
passed  over  the  same  route  and  camped  for  the  night 
opposite  us,  on  the  other  (right)  side  of  the  river.  Their 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  345 

splendid  camp  fires  gave  them  the  appearance  of  an 
illuminated  city. 

April  28th.  Our  New  Hampshire  battalion,  now  raised 
to  a  regiment,  the  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  again 
found  us.  How  hearty  the  greetings  and  shaking  of 
hands.  What  countless  memories  arose.  In  the  evening 
our  band  heartily  played  them  the  compliment  of  a  sere 
nade.  On  Sabbaths  we  had  regular  religious  services 
conducted  by  Chaplain  Clarke,  hymns,  reading,  sermon, 
prayer,  tunes  by  the  band,  and  singing  by  the  choir.  All 
the  air  was  astir  around  us  by  troops  in  motion  and  their 
trains.  The  garrisons  in  the  two  forts  near  us  employed 
Tuesdays  and  Fridays  in  target  practice,  which  gave  us  a 
variety  of  sonorous  music. 

The  strength  of  our  two  battalions — eight  troops — at 
this  time  was  as  follows: 

1.  Officers  present,   15;    enlisted  men  present,  292: 
total,  307. 

2.  Absent.     Officers  on  detached  service,  6;  officers 
prisoners  of  war,  5:  total,  11;  enlisted  men  absent,  115, 
56  of  them  prisoners  of  war. 

3.  Total  commissioned,  26;  total  enlisted,  407:  ag 
gregate,  433. 

Loss  by  casualties  and  detachment  of  New  Hampshire 
battalion,  since  December  31,  1863,  288. 

The  following  was  the  roster  of  the  regiment: 

FIELD    AND    STAFF. 

Major,  PRESTON  M.  FARRINGTON,  commanding. 
"       WILLIAM  H.  TURNER,  on  detached  duty. 
Adjutant,  EZRA  B.  PARKER,  prisoner  of  war. 
Quartermaster,  CHARLES  A.  LEONARD,  on  detached 
duty. 

Commissary,  LEONARD  B.  PRATT. 


346  SABRES  AND  SPURS. 

Surgeon,  WILLIAM  H.  WILBUR. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  AUGUSTINE  A.  MANN. 

ALBEKT  UTTER. 

Chaplain,  ETHAN  RAY  CLARKE. 
Sergeant-Major,  JOSEPH  W.  DEMEY. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  CHARLES  E.  ELLESON. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  SAMUEL  C.  WILLIS,  Jr. 
Hospital  Steward,  EDWIN  D.  WHITE. 

"  "         EDWARD  C.  CAPWELL. 

Chief  Trumpeter,  WILLIAM  R,  KAY. 
Veterinary  Surgeon,  CRAWFORD  A.  SCRANTON. 

LINE    OFFICERS. 

TROOP  A. — Captain,  JOSHUA  VOSE;  First  Lieutenant,. 
L.  B.  SHURTLIFF;  Second  Lieutenant, . 

TROOP  B. — Captain,  CHARLES  H.  THAYER;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  H.  P.  BARKER  (prisoner);  Second  Lieutenant, 
G.  W.  DARLING  (detached  duty). 

TROOP  C. — Captain,  GEORGE  N.  BLISS;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  BARNARD  ELLIS;  Second  Lieutenant,  CHARLES  E. 
BLANCHARD  (acting  Adjutant). 

TROOP  D. — Captain,  WILLIS  C.  C  APRON;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  C.  G.  A.  PETERSON  (prisoner);  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  . 

TROOP  E. — Captain,  ALLEN  BAKER,  Jr.;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  -  — ;  Second  Lieutenant,  H.  H.  STEERE 
(acting  Quartermaster). 

TROOP  F. — Captain,  JOHN  ROGERS;  First  Lieutenant 
RICHARD  J.  BURGESS;  Second  Lieutenant,  JAMES  M. 
FALES  (prisoner). 

TROOP  G. — Captain,  JOSEPH  J.  GOULD;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  — ;  Second  Lieutenant, . 

TROOP  H. — Captain,  E.  E.  CHASE  (prisoner);  First 
Lieutenant, ;  Second  Lieutenant, . 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  347 

The  demand  for  horses  in  the  army  was  now  beyond 
the  supply,  as  all  possible  forces  were  in  motion.  And 
according  to  an  order  from  the  War  Department,  sailors 
in  the  army  had  their  option  at  this  time  of  being  trans 
ferred  to  the  navy.  Quite  a  number  of  our  regiment, 
especially  from  thfc  Newport  troop,  rather  than  wait  for 
horses  and  again  try  the  perils  of  forests  and  mountains, 
•chose  the  service  of  the  loyal  decks.  This  we  much  re 
gretted,  as  they  were  good  men,  and  as  it  left  our  regi 
ment  quite  small. 

Albert  C.  Greene  (Troop  H),  a  paroled  prisoner,  died 
in  hospital  May  4th. 

May  8th.     The  following  order  was  received: 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION,         } 

DEPARTMENT  OF  WASHINGTON,  v 

CAMP  STONEMAN,  D.  C. ,  May  8,  1864.      ) 

Major: — You  will  have  your  regiment  ready  to  march  to  the 
Maryland  Avenue  Depot  at  7.30  A.  M.  to-morrow  for  railroad 
transportation  to  Fairfax  Station.  Each  man  will  be  provided 
with  three  days'  rations  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition.  One 
hundred  and  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition  per  man  will  be  carried 
in  wagons.  Leave  your  Quartermaster  behind  to  turn  in  your 
public  property.  If  you  have  pistols,  carry  sixty  rounds  of 
cartridge  per  man ;  eighteen  on  their  persons,  and  the  balance  in 
wagons.  Six  wagons  will  report  to  you  at  five  o'clock. 
By  order  of  Colonel  Gamble : 

L.  L.  BARNEY,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

Upon  arrival  at  Fairfax  Station  you  will  report  to  Brigadier- 
General  Tyler  for  orders. 

By  order: 

L.  L.  BARNEY,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

This  order  looked  like  business  again.  At  daylight  of 
May  9th  we  were  astir.  Reaching  the  depot  we  took 
the  cars — foot-cavalry  on  the  cars — a  point  for  humor. 
On  arriving  at  Fairfax  Station  tlae  following  order  was 
received: 


348  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

HKAPQUABTEBS  DEPARTMENT  OF  WASHINGTON,  ) 
TWENTY-SECOND  ARMY  CORPS,  May  9,  1864.      j 
Brigadier-General  R.  C.  Tyler,!).  C.: 

General : — The  Major-General  commanding  directs  that  you  send 
the  battalion  of  dismounted  cavalry,  ordered  by  you  this  morning, 
on  to  Rappahannock  Station  in  the  train  in.  which  they  are,  with 
orders  to  return,  bringing  with  them  all  trains  now  at  that  point, 
These  trains  will  all  be  kept  this  side  of  Bull  Run  Bridge  until 
further  orders.  After  having  performed  this  duty,  the  battalion 
will  be  available  for  any  service  you  may  assign  it  to. 
Respectfully, 

J.  H.  TAYLOR,  A.  A.  G. 

Reaching  Bristoe  Station  we  stopped  for  the  night,  and 
the  next  day  passed  on  to  Rappahannock  Station.  The 
country  along  the  route,  trodden  so  many  times  by 
armies,  reminded  us  of  the  "desolate  land"  mentioned 
in  the  rebel  ballad  found  at  Centreville.  Ah!  how 
chickens  come  home  to  roost.  All  was  lonely  around 
us,  the  army  having  gone  on  its  great  war-path,  leaving 
here  only  a  few  troops  who  were  preparing  to  return  to 
the  defenses  of  Washington.  It  was  a  new  thing  for  us 
to  be  behind  the  battle  front;  but  it  was  only  for  the 
want  of  horses,  We  were  immediately  ordered  back  to 
Fairfax  Station,  where,  on  arriving,  we  received  the  sub 
joined  order: 

HEADQUARTERS  TYLER'S  DIVISION,  ) 
FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE,  Ya,,  May  10,  1804.      j 

[SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  49.] 

I.  Major  P.  M.  Farrington,  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  will 
proceed  with  his  command  to  Yienna  to-morrow  morning  and 
report  for  duty  to  the  officer  commanding  the  cavalry  brigade  at 
that  post. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Tyler: 

W.  A.  SADLOTH,  A.  A.  G. 

May  llth.     Dismounted  cavalry  was  not  our   pride. 


1864.]  FIKST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  349 

It  robbed  us  of  our  spurs;  it  seemed  like  coming  down; 
it  gave  too  little  sweep -for  our  sabres;  it  did  not  tally 
with  our  past  history.  But  we  marched  to  Vienna, 
where  we  reported  to  Colonel  C.  R.  Lowell,  Jr.,  of  the 
Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  commanding  the  cavalry 
brigade  stationed  there — a  place  twelve  miles  from  Alex 
andria,  on  the  Leesburg  Railroad. 

General  Grant  had  now  commenced  his  grand  and 
awful  march  by  the  Wilderness  for  Richmond.  Meade's 
army  cut  loose  from  its  base  near  the  Rapidan  May  4th. 
His  first  battle  opened  on  the  5th.  Burnside,  having 
crossed  the  Rappahannock  and  the  Rapidan, — a  march 
of  more  than  thirty  miles — led  his  Ninth  Corps  into 
action  on  the  morning  of  the  Gth.  Butler  moved  his 
army  up  the  James  on  the  4th,  and  on  the  5th  had  pos 
session  of  City  Point  and  Bermuda  Hundred.  On  the 
morning  of  the  9th,  Sheridan  started  on  his  raid  against 
the  rebel  lines  of  communication  with  Richmond;  de 
stroyed  the  depots  at  Beaver  Dam  and  Ashland  Stations, 
four  trains  of  cars,  large  supplies  of  rations,  and  many 
miles  of  railroad  track;  also  recaptured  about  four  hun 
dred  of  our  men  on  their  way  as  prisoners  to  Richmond; 
met  and  defeated  the  Confederate  cavalry  at  Yellow 
Tavern;  carried  the  first  line  of  works  around  Rich 
mond,  and  finally  reported  to  Butler  on  the  James  River. 
This  splendid  stroke  of  sabres  drew  off  from  the  front 
the  whole  of  the  rebel  cavalry,  and  made  it  quite  easy  to 
guard  our  trains.  Butler's  cavalry  also,  as  it  moved,  did 
effective  service.  Kautz,  with  his  three  thousand  sabres, 
struck  the  Danville  road  at  Coalfield,  Powhatan  and 
Chola  Stations,  destroying  track,  trains,  and  large  quan 
tities  of  commissary  and  other  stores;  also  struck  the 
Southside  road,  demolishing  road  and  depots  at  Wilson's, 
Wt'llsville,  and  Blacks-and-Whites  Stations. 
30 


350  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [May, 

We  longed  to  be  in  the  fray  as  aforetime,  but  were 
detained  a  little.  Scarcely  had  we  pitched  our  tents  at 
Vienna  when  Captain  Baker  and  forty  men,  dismounted, 
were  ordered  out  on  a  three  days'  scout.  Then  we  were 
surprised  by  the  following  order: 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,  ) 
VIENNA,  Va.,  May  13,  1864.      j 
[SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  44.] 

In  pursuance  of  orders  from  headquarters,  Tyler's  division, 
Major  P.  M.  Farrington  is  relieved  from  duty  in  this  brigade, 
and  will  immediately  proceed  with  his  command  to  Alexandria, 
Va.;  thence  reporting  to  Major-General  Augur,  commanding 
Department  of  Washington,  for  orders. 

By  order  of  Colonel  C.  R.  Lowell,  Jr. : 

E.  LANSING,  Lieutenant  and  A.  A.  A.  G. 

Here  was  a  look  for  us  towards  the  front.  Immediate 
ly  we  took  rail  for  Alexandria,  and  on  the  way  took  in 
Lieutenant  Shurtliff  with  his  twenty  men  who  were 
guarding  the  road.  We  stopped  at  the  "  Soldiers'  Rest," 
where,  as  Sargent  expressed  it,  about  midnight  we  had  a 
"Government  collation,"  but  no  blankets,  as  our  bag 
gage  was  left  in  the  cars.  The  jiext  day,  as  transporta 
tion  was  delayed,  we  had  another  "Government  colla 
tion,"  and  then  marched  to  the  wharf  and  on  board  the 
boat,  where  we  stowed  ourselves  away  as  well  as  we  could 
under  such  pressing  circumstances — the  boat  not  being 
a  transport  for  men. 

Reaching  Belle  Plain,  the  base  of  supplies  for  the  army, 
we  found  vessels  and  steamers  of  all  shapes  and  sizes  dis 
charging  troops  and  Government  stores.  On  landing  we 
reported  to  General  Abercrombie,  our  old  friend  and  first 
commander  in  the  field,  now  commanding  this  post. 
Doubtless  he  remembered  "Camp  Mud." 


1864. J  FIRST    RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  351 

May  16th.  Captain  Baker  and  his  detachment  re 
joined  us.  The  next  day,  to  our  great  satisfaction,  Cap 
tain  Bliss,  having  been  relieved  at  New  Haven,  Conn., 
reached  us,  ready  again  for  the  front. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant  George  H.  Harris  (Troop  A) 
died  May  19th,  of  typhoid  fever,  near  our  old  camp  in 
the  vicinity  of  Geesboro  Point. 

Our  camp  at  Belle  Plain  was  about  a  mile  from  the 
landing.  While  waiting  for  our  baggage  we  were  well 
drenched  by  a  thunder-shower.  Here  we  will  let  Sar 
gent  speak  in  his  naive  style: 

"Near  our  camp,  on  the  way  from  the  landing,  were 
nine  thousand  Johnnies  who  were  captured  in  the  Wilder 
ness  rights.  They  were  in  a  low  piece  of  ground,  with  a 
heavy  guard  around,  and  six  brass  bull-dogs,  loaded  with 
grape  and  canister,  pointing  at  them.  Thinking  they 
might  want  to  hear  Yankee  music,  our  band  played 
them  'Yankee  Doodle';  but  it  evidently  did  not  set 
well,  for  they  made  wry  faces.  When  we  got  through, 
some  of  them  called  for  '  Dixie '  and  '  Bonny  Blue  Flag/ 
but  instead,  they  got  '  Johnnie  stole  a  ham '  and  'Aint 
you  glad  to  get  out  of  the  wilderness?' — that  we  thought 
appropriate  to  the  occasion. 

"One  can  hardly  imagine  what  a  place  becomes  by 
being  made  the  base  of  supplies  for  a  great  army.  Every 
thing  to  feed,  arm,  and  equip  a  vast  host  requires  an 
immense  amount  of  stores  of  every  description.  It  be 
comes  a  vast  business  centre;  thousands  are  unloading 
transports  and  loading  wagons  for  the  front.  The  trains 
come  from  the  front  loaded  with  the  wounded;  such  as 
are  able  walk  to  the  boats;  others,  too  severely  wounded, 
are  carried  on  stretchers:  all  to  be  conveyed  to  Washing 
ton.  If  any  one  wants  proof  of  the  soldiers  doing  their 
duty,  let  him  see  these  long  lines  of  wounded  men. 


352  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

These  wounds  speak  louder  than  words.  You  hear  no 
grumbling  or  words  of  discouragement,  but  all  remarks 
are  pleasant  and  cheerful. 

4 'About  fifty  rods  from  our  camp  is  an  old  barn  con 
taining  about  forty  wounded  rebels,  and  such  a  set 
of  long-legged,  lantern-jawed,  knock-kneed,  long-haired 
specimens  of  humanity  we  never  saw  before.  They  came 
from  the  tar  and  pitch  region  of  North  Carolina.  But 
they  seemed  to  be  in  good  spirits,  and  said  that  Lee  knew 
what  he  was  about,  and  that  he  would  fight  till  the  last 
man  fell.  When  asked  what  they  were  fighting  for  they 
replied  that  they  did  n't  know,  but  reckoned  their  lead 
ers  did.  We  were  required  to  be  under  arms  every  night, 
as  guerrillas  hovered  round  the  post." 

May  19th.  Chaplain  Clarke  officiated  at  the  funeral 
of  a  rebel  soldier  whom  our  men  found  in  the  barn  just 
mentioned,  very  sick,  and  had  taken  care  of  him,  and 
now  gave  him  Christian  burial  as  carefully  as  if  he  had 
been  one  of  our  men.  How  different  this  from  the  treat 
ment  received  by  our  men  while  prisoners  of  war.  Re 
member  the  burials  at  Andersonville. 

May  21st,  22d.  Good!  Now  for  our  spurs  again! 
WTe  received  our  horses  and  equipments.  As  Sargent 
expressed  it,  "No  more  mud-mashing  foot-cavalry  no 
longer."  Our  new  horses  at  first  tried  to  have  their  OAVH 
way,  but  they  were  obliged  to  submit  to  veterans.  The 
base  of  supplies  for  the  army  was  now  to  be  transferred 
to  Port  Royal,  on  the  lower  Rappahannock,  and  lovely 
Belle  Plain  was  to  resume  its  old  quiet. 

May  24th.  We  were  ready  for  orders,  and  broke  camp 
by  noon,  marching  a  short  distance  and  encountering 
another  of  the  episodes  of  the  field— a  severe  storm  of 
wind,  rain,  and  hail,  drenching  us  to  our  skins;  but  we 
took  the  matter  philosophically,  like  veteran  cavaliers. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  353 

May  25th.  Early  the  bugles  gave  us  "Boots  and 
Saddles,"  and  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.  we  reached  Port 
Con  way,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Bappahaunock,  The 
"  .sucred  soil"  was  now  literally  trembling  under  the 
tread  of  mighty  armies  closing  in  for  awful  conflicts. 
Already  the  Wilderness  had  been  wet  with  blood.  The 
battles,  beginning  on  the  5th,  at  Mine  Run,  and  contin 
uing,  with  only  brief  lulls,  and  sometimes  with  varying- 
fortune — but  by  the  steady  falling  back  of  the  Confed 
erates — lasted  in  all  more  than  forty  days.  What  pen 
can  ever  describe  those  scenes  ! 

General  Grant,  in  his  report,  introduces  the  following 
appropriate  observations : 

"During  three  long  years  the  armies  of  the  Potomae 
and  Northern  Virginia  had  been  confronting  each  other. 
In  that  time  they  had  fought  more  desperate  battles  than 
it  probably  ever  before  fell  to  the  lot  of  two  armies  to> 
fight,  without  materially  changing  the  vantage-ground 
of  either.  The  Southern  press  and  people,  with  more 
shrewdness  than  was  displayed  in  the  North,  finding; 
that  they  had  failed  to  capture  Washington  and  march 
on  to  New  York,  as  they  had  boasted  they  would  do,  as 
sumed  that  they  only  defended  their  capital  and  South 
ern  territory.  Hence  Antietam,  Gettysburg,  and  all  the 
other  battles  that  had  been  fought  were  by  them  set 
down  as  failures  on  our  part  and  victories  for  them. 
Their  army  believed  this.  It  produced  a  morale  which 
could  only  be  overcome  by  desperate  and  hard  fighting. 
The  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  North 
Anna,  and  Coal  Harbor,  bloody  and  terrible  as  they  were 
on  our  side,  were  even  more  damaging  to  the  enemy." 

May  26th.     A  portion  of  our  regiment,  under  Captain 
Baker,  crossed  the  river  on  pontons  to  Port  Royal,  and 
went  out  on  picket  beyond  the  town.     Strange  scenes — 
30* 


354  SABRES   ANJ)    SPURS.  [May, 

tragic  and  comic — were  thick  around  us.  Fleeing  "  con 
trabands"  were  pouring  into  our  lines — coming  singly 
and  in  groups — some  on  foot,  some  on  horses,  some  on 
trains.  Women  might  be  seen  toting  prodigious  bundles 
on  their  heads,  knots  of  little  ebonies  hanging  to  their 
tattered  skirts;  all  seeming  to  say,  as  some  expressed  it, 
"Bres  de  Lod;  now  we'se  free." 

May  28th.  The  regiment  crossed  the  river  to  Port 
Royal  on  ferry-boats,  and  camped  on  the  southerly  edge 
of  the  town. 

When  the  forces  left  Belle  Plain,  Captain  Bliss  and  his 
squadron  were  sent  to  Fredericksburg  as  escort  and  sup 
port  for  a  battery  of  light  artillery;  and  on  the  27th  led 
the  advance  guard  of  a  force,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Cesnolia,  sent  out  from  Fredericksburg  to  the  battle  field 
of  the  Wilderness  to  bring  in  the  remaining  of  our 
wounded.  They  gleaned  forty-eight  from  the  gory  field, 
and,  returning,  sent  them  by  transports  to  Washington. 
Captain  Bliss  rejoined  us  on  the  28th. 

May  29th.  Sergeant  Kelley  (Troop  A),  with  two  men, 
was  sent  to  General  Grant  with  despatches,  and  was  or 
dered  to  go  on  the  gallop.  The  first  fifteen  miles  were 
passed  without  incident.  But  while  passing  through 
the  main  street  of  Bowling  Green,  the  Sergeant,  who 
was  a  little  in  advance  of  his  men,  was  ordered  to  halt  by 
a  man  who  sprang  from  a  house  into  the  street.  Halting, 
the  Sergeant  was  asked,  "Are  you  Union  or  Confed 
erate  ?"  "Union,"  answered  the  Sergeant.  "  You  are 
my  prisoner;  surrender!"  said  the  stranger.  Immedi 
ately  the  Sergeant  drew  his  carbine  from  his  boot.  The 
rebel  fired  his  pistol  at  the  Sergeant,  but  missed  him. 
The  Sergeant  fired  his  carbine,  and  the  rebel  dropped. 
Not  at  liberty  to  tarry,  the  Sergeant  pushed  on,  think 
ing  by  a  quick  gallop  to  pass  the  enemy  and  get  through 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  355 

with  his  despatches.  But  half  a  mile  further  on  he  saw 
sixteen  rebels  mounting  their  horses  directly  in  his  path. 
They  discovered  him  and  started  in  his  pursuit.  He  was 
obliged  to  retrace  his  steps,  and  was  pursued  to  within 
four  miles  of  Port  Royal. 

As  soon  as  the  Sergeant  reported  back,  Captain  Rogers, 
of  our  regiment,  was  sent  with  the  same  despatches, 
having  a  squadron  of  the  Eighteenth  Ohio  Cavalry  as 
his  escort.  These  sabres  and  spurs  meant  to  reach  the 
mark.  The  Captain  reached  General  Grant  the  next 
day.  Alas  for  his  horses,  exhausted  by  speed,  distance, 
and  heat. 

At  Port  Royal  the  Chaplain  held  services  in  the  Epis 
copal  Church  at  six  o'clock  P.  M.  General  Abercrombie 
and  staff  and  quite  a  number  of  citizens  attended,  with 
all  the  regiment  save  such  as  were  on  duty.  The  regi 
mental  choir  sang,  and  Captain  Rogers  presided  at  the 
organ.  Well,  War  and  Peace — sabres  and  songs  united : 
such  is  life  in  this  world.  It  almost  seemed  like  civiliza 
tion  again  to  be  seated  under  a  roof  in  acts  of  devotion. 
But  the  Chaplain  was  somewhat  annoyed  by  passing 
troops,  whose  band  played  "The  Irish  Washerwoman.'" 
Doubtless  we  must  always  have  some  thorn  in  the  flesh. 

May  30th.  We  marched  from  Port  Royal,  en  route 
to  White  House,  on  the  Pamunkey  River. 

May  31st.  Reached  Bowling  Green,  where  we  found 
Sergeant  Kelley's  antagonist  lying  in  a  house  and  badly 
wounded;  the  bullet  had  cut  through  both  his  legs  near 
.the  body.  We  learned  that  he  was  Captain  Woodfalk, 
of  the  rebel  army.  Pushing  on,  we  halted  for  the  night 
at  the  Mattapony  River,  near  the  mouth  of  Polecat,  a 
tributary  of  the  Mattapony.  Here  the  bridge  had  been 
burned;  but  we  were  equal  to  the  emergency,  and  con 
structed  (May  1st)  a  bridge  strong  enough  to  support 


356  SABRES    AND   SPURS.  [June, 

artillery  and  wagons.  We  were  accompanied  by  the 
Sixty-Seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry  and  the  Third  New 
York  Battery,  the  whole  commanded  by  Colonel  Staun- 
ton,  of  the  Sixty-Seventh.  This  night  (Jane  1st)  we 
bivouacked  eight  miles  nearer  Kichmond. 

June  2d.  We  marched  fifteen  miles,  and  bivouacked 
two  miles  from  Hanovertown,  on  the  Pamunkey  River. 

June  3d.  A  ponton  train  joined  us  in  the  morning, 
and  we  threw  the  bridge  across  the  river  at  New  Castle, 
and  passing  over  camped  for  the  night  within  ten  miles 
of  White  House,  on  the  Pamunkey. 

June  4th.  We  reached  White  House  and-  encamped 
near  the  landing.  How  movable  and  uncertain  is  the 
soldier's  life.  We  could  sympathize  with  the  Irish  sol 
dier  who  was  asked,  when  entering  a  town  with  his 
regiment,  "Where  are  you  from?"  and  replied,  "We 
are  from  ivery  place  but  this,  and  we  will  soon  be  from 
this."  We  found  a  sort  of  camp,  and  entered  on  picket 
duty  and  scouting.  Here  all  the  air  was  full  of  the 
majestic  music  of  a  great  war — whistles  and  bells  of  hur 
rying  steamers — the  solemn  striking  of  watch-bells  on 
heavy  clad  gun-boats — the  screeching  and  rumbling  of 
locomotives  tugging  their  great  army  trains — the  anima 
ted  playing  of  military  bands — and  through  and  over  all 
the  distant,  heavy  booming  of  cannon  in  the  raging  bat 
tles.  And  not  the  least  impressive  of  the  war  scenes 
were  the  long  trains  of  ambulances  and  the  large,  crowd 
ed  hospitals — scenes  that  may  never  fade  from  the  eyes 
that  beheld  them.  * 

While  stationed  near  White  House  Landing,  two  De 
tachments  of  our  command  were  sent  out  on  scout.  The 
first,  under  Captain  Baker,  accompanied  by  one  of  Gen 
eral  Abercrombie's  aids,  was  sent  to  West  Point  to  learn 
about  the  break  in  the  telegraphic  line  to  Washington  by 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  35? 

guerrillas.  They  found  the  break  had  been  made  half 
way  between  White  House  and  West  Point  Returning 
from  West  Point,  they  were  able  to  report  to  the  General 
the  names  of  the  suspected  parties.  An  order  had  been 
given  for  systematic  foraging,  that  was  remarkably  dam 
aging  to  turkeys,  chickens,  and  geese — some  being  nicely 
served  up  at  the  General's  table,  in  the*  house  formerly 
owned  by  the  wife  of  General  Washington.  How  time 
shifts  the  scenes  in  the  great  drama  of  history.  Captain 
Baker  and  his  scout,  bringing  in  these  spoils,  had  some 
adventure  by  storm  and  darkness  in  crossing  the  Pa- 
munkey,  losing  a  horse  through  the  bridge  and  recover 
ing  him  from  the  stream,  reaching  camp  at  last  by  the 
lights  on  the  gun-boats  and  the  flashes  of  lightning  that 
came  down  with  the  rain. 

The  second  scout  was  to  Prince  William  Court  House, 
and  the  detachment  was  fired  into  by  guerrillas;  one  man,. 
William  R.  Spink,  was  shot  in  the  left  shoulder  and 
breast.  He  was  brought  back  in  an  old  family  carriage^ 
about  a  century  old,  we  judge.  This  detailed  vehicle 
and  team  furnished  amusement  for  our  boys,  being  driven 
around  camp  for  several  days  with  so  many  passengers 
inside  and  out  as  to  justify  the  saying,  "It  is  a  poor 
coach  that  won't  carry  nine."  This  scout  not  finishing- 
its  work,  Captain  Bliss,  with  a  detachment,  made  a 
thorough  reconnoissance,  reporting  only  a  few  straggling 
guerrillas. 

June  9th.  We  were  reviewed  and  inspected  by  Colonel 
Schriver,  of  the  army  headquarters,  a  fact  that  looked  to. 
work  after  our  old  style.  The  Colonel  had  knowledge 
of  our  regiment  and  the  fields  on  which  we  had  proved 
our  sabres.  Finding  us  well  mounted  again  and  show 
ing  our  old  spirit  and  movements,  he  paid  us  a  high 
compliment. 


358  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [June, 

June  19th.  By  invitation  of  the  Chaplain,  in  our  re 
ligious  services  we  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  Chap 
lain  Nash,  of  the  Seventh,  and  Chaplain  Greeley,  of  the 
Sixth  Michigan  Cavalry.  Our  band  played  "  Greenville" 
to  aid  in  the  singing.  All  joined  in  the  doxology.  What 
great  Christian  sentiments  and  principles  underlay  and 
inspired  and  guided  the  great  struggle  in  which  we  en 
gaged. 

Peter  McGrath  (Troop  E)  died,  while  on  sick  furlough 
from  hospital,  at  his  home  in  Rhode  Island. 

(Note.)  For  many  particulars  in  subsequent  chapters 
we  are  indebted  to  the  careful  and  skillful  pen  of 
"Ulysses"  (Captain  Bliss),  who  forwarded  to  the  papers 
in  Providence,  R.  I.,  valuable  sketches  of  the  daring  and 
doing  of  our  command. 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALKY.  359 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

BATTLE     AT     WHITE     HOUSE     LANDING. 
JUNE— JULY,  1804. 

UNE  20th.  In  the  morning,  while  enjoying  quiet 
near  White  House,  with  General  Abercrombie's  com 
mand,  our  pickets  were  suddenly  attacked  and  driven  in 
by  the  enemy's  cavalry.  As  a  dense  fog  covered  the  face 
of  the  country,  the  rebels  approached  very  close  to  our 
line  before  they  were  discovered,  and,  when  challenged, 
made  a  desperate  dash.  But  our  boys  were  too  quick 
for  them,  though  the  dispute  was  a  sharp  surprise.  In 
stead  of  losing  any  men,  we  captured  one  of  the  enemy, 
who  gave  information  that  Generals  Wade  Hampton  and 
Fitz-Hugh  Lee  were  advancing  upon  us  with  a  heavy 
force.  Our  strength  at  the  time  was  about  two  thousand 
men  of  all  arms,  supported  by  two  small  gun-boats.  Our 
fortifications  were  instantly  manned,  and  every  proper 
measure  taken  to  give  a  fitting  reception  to  "  our  mis 
guided  Southern  brethren." 

Captain  Bliss  and  Lieutenant  Ellis,  with  a  squadron, 
were  sent  on  the  Bottom  Bridge  road  with  orders  to 
"  observe  the  enemy,  ascertain  his  probable  force  and  in 
tentions,  and  report  immediately."  When  about  half  a 


360  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [June, 

mile  from  camp,  the  rebels  opened  with  six  pieces  of 
•artillery,  two  of  which  specially  addressed  Captain  Bliss' 
command.  That  was  a  musical  concert  to  be  easily  re 
membered.  Very  properly,  the  Captain  reported  the 
enemy  in  force  and  animated  with  belligerent  "inten 
tions."  When  the  fog  lifted,  the  "gray  backs"  were  in 
iu  11  view.  Our  front  proved  quite  too  stubborn  for  them, 
and  they  were  wise  enough  to  reconsider  their  design  of 
carrying  the  post.  Our  loss  during  the  day  was  five 
wounded,  two  mortally;  one  from  our  regiment,  G.  H. 
•Jacques  (Troop  G),  was  slightly  injured  on  the  picket 
line  in  the  morning  by  a  fall  from  his  horse.  General 
Sheridan's  command  reached  us  at  night,  and  the  next 
morning  drove  the  rebels  back  across  the  Chickahominy, 
losing  about  fifty  killed  and  wounded. 

•During  the  battle,  Captains  Rogers  and  Baker,  Lieu 
tenants  Shurtliff  and  Burgess,  with  fifty  men,  made  a 
reconnoissance  seven  miles  down  the  river  towards  Cum 
berland  Bluffs.  As  they  were  leaving  camp,  things  were 
so  mixed  by  the  fray  that  one  of  our  gun-boats  threw  a 
shell  at  them  by  mistake,  without,  however,  inflicting 
any  damage.  Captain  Rogers  safely  reached  Cumber 
land,  but  found  his  return  cut  off  by  the  enemy,  who 
•opened  on  him  with  artillery,  and  pursued  him  for  sev 
eral  miles,  driving  him  down  to  Cumberland  Point.  In 
this  action  he  lost  one  man,  George  Newell  (Troop  F), 
who  was  captured  on  account  of  the  fall  of  his  horse. 

At  night  the  Captain  sent  his  brother,  Sergeant  B.  H. 
Rogers  (F),  and  G.  W.  Haywood  (E),  in  a  canoe  to  in 
form  us  of  his  situation.  Paddling  their  way  for  seven 
.miles  with  their  hands,  and  passing  a  rebel  force  encamp 
ed  on  the  rTver  bank,  they  reached  us  at  White  House  in 
safety.  The  next  morning  (21st)  Sheridan's  assault  upon 
the  foe  set  the  Captain  and  his  men  free  again. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  361 

June  21st.  During  this  day  there  was  more  or  less 
artillery  practice,  but  the  enemy  made  no  new  attack. 
Some  excellent  gunnery  was  executed  by  the  spunky  gun 
boats.  And  a  shot  from  one  of  our  field-pieces  exploded 
a  rebel  caisson  full  of  ammunition.  Quite  discouraged, 
the  rebels  ceased  firing  and  drew  off  their  battery. 

On  the  same  day  we  had  orders  to  join  the  cavalry 
corps,  and  were  assigned  to  the  first  division,  commanded 
by  Brigadier-General  Torbert,  and  to  the  reserve  brigade, 
under  Brigadier-General  Merritt;  the  brigade  consisting 
of  the  First,  Second,  and  Third  Regular  Cavalry,  the 
Sixth  Pennsylvania,  the  First  New  York  Dragoons,  and 
First  Rhode  Island.  By  special  request  of  General  Mer 
ritt  we  were  assigned  to  his  command — a  fact  conveying 
a  compliment  to  us. 

June  22d.  Leaving  White  House,  we  moved  to  Jones' 
Bridge,  on  the  Ohickahominy. 

June  24th.  Crossing  the  river,  we  pushed  on  all  day 
towards  the  James,  which  we  reached  at  Mine  Oak  Land 
ing  on  the  25th.  The  scenery  on  the  way  was  all  new  to 
us  and  much  of  it  very  attractive,  as  was  the  historic 
James  River;  but  we  were  now  studying  social  problems. 

General  Meade's  campaign  from  the  Rapidan  to  the 
James,  occupying  forty-two  days,  had  cost  us  sixty  thou 
sand  men.  But  by  his  terrible  battles  and  sharp  flank 
movements  he  drove  the  rebels  nearly  to  the  defenses  of 
Richmond;  and  on  the  14th  of  June  began  to  throw  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  across  the  James  to  unite  with  the 
Army  of  the  James,  under  Butler,  in  laying  siege  to 
Richmond  and  Petersburg,  and  cutting  off  Lee's  com 
munications  with  the  South.  The  dogs  of  war  were  now 
fastening  on  the  throat  of  the  Confederacy,  never  to  re 
lease  their  grasp  till  it  died. 

June  28th.  At  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  we  left  our  bivouac 
31 


362  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [June, 

in  readiness  to  cross  to  the  south  bank  of  the  James, 
but,  having  to  wait  our  turn  for  transportation,  did  not 
pass  over  till  midnight.  Verily,  great  bodies,  move  slow 
ly;  and  great  bodies  were  now  moving.  Great  events 
were  being  shaped.  Our  crossing  was  effected  at  Wind 
mill  Point.  In  vain  we  hoped  for  a  little  rest,  since  for 
six  weeks  we  had  been  on  picket,  vidette,  scout,  and 
skirmish. 

June  29th.  At  four  o'clock  P.  M.  the  bugles  blew  the 
"general,"  and  we  were  instantly  in  saddle  and  off  via 
Prince  George  Court  House  for  Reams'  Station,  on  the 
Weldon  Railroad,  near  which  Kautz  and  Wilson  had 
been  attacked  by  a  superior  force  of  the  Confederates. 

This  expedition  of  Kautz  and  Wilson  set  out  on  the 
22d,  struck  the  Weldon  road,  destroyed  Reams'  Station 
depot  and  miles  of  track,  struck  the  Southside  road  fif 
teen  miles  from  Petersburg,  reached  near  to  Nottaway 
Station,  where  they  met  and  defeated  the  enemy,  passed 
to  Burksville  Station  on  the  23d,  and  destroyed  the  Dan 
ville  road  to  Roanoke  Bridge.  On  their  return  (the 
28th)  they  met  the  rebel  cavalry  again  on  the  Weldon 
road,  at  the  crossing  of  Stony  Creek,  and  had  a  severe 
engagement.  Returning,  they  met  the  enemy's  cavalry, 
supported  by  infanty,  at  Reams'  Station.  Our  regiment 
reached  this  point  on  the  evening  of  the  29th. 

Here  we  found  old  and  dear  friends  in  the  brave  Sixth 
Corps,  under  General  Wright,  engaged  in  tearing  up  the 
railroad.  We  were  even  more  delighted  in  meeting  the 
heroic  Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry  and  the  valiant 
Rhode  Island  Batteries  D  and  E;  their  faces  were  like 
sunshine  to  us. 

The  method  of  destroying  the  road  was  the  old  one. 
Tearing  up  the  rails,  the  sleepers  were  lifted  and  piled; 
then  the  rails  were  thrown  on  the  piles,  where  the  fire 


1864.]  FIRST   EHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  363 

warped  and  beiit  them.  Sometimes  the  soldiers  gave 
them  a  twist,  and  called  them  Jeff  Davis'  neck-ties — a 
little  ironic;  yet  we  think  he  deserved  something  of  the 
kind. 

The  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry — our  old  brothers — 
were  with  Wilson  on  his  raid,  and  lost  thirty  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing.  Among  the  killed  was  Lieuten 
ant  Campbell,  and  among  the  wounded  was  Lieutenant 
E.  P.  Abbott — both  formerly  officers  in  our  regiment. 

July  1st.  Remained  in  bivouac  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  Weldon  road. 

July  2d.  Marched  near  to  City  Point;  encamped  four 
miles  from  the  point  in  the  woods. 

July  3d.  Moved  near  to  Jordan  Landing  and  went 
into  camp.  The  last  four  days  had  been  especially  severe 
upon  the  men  and  horses,  having  been  the  hottest  days 
of  the  season:  the  thermometer  ranging  over  one  hun 
dred  degrees  in  the  shade,  they  said, — we  had  none  with 
us — the  sun  pouring  down  on  us  and  well-nigh  blistering 
us,  and  no  winds  stirring.  Nor  had  it  rained,  except 
small  showers,  for  over  a  month.  Imagine  the  dust — 
fine  as  flour — four  inches  deep — trodden  and  kicked  up 
by  seven  or  eight  thousand  horses.  Travelling  for  miles, 
you  could  see  but  a  few  rods  in  advance,  and  often  could 
not  see  the  horse  ahead  of  you.  And  then  the  sweat  in 
streams  running  down  your  face,  and  eyes  smarting,  and 
nose  and  throat  full  of  dust  almost  to  choking;  and  our 
horses  suffering  like  ourselves — many  abandoned  from 
exhaustion  and  sore  backs.  Surely  we  were  in  a  con 
dition  to  rest  and  recruit. 

July  4th.  The  historic  day  was  patriotically  observed 
to  the  best  of  our  abilities — ushered  in  by  the  band  play 
ing  national  airs.  What  of  bunting  we  could  command 
was  in  the  breeze  with  our  gallant  standard  and  guidons. 


364  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

In  the  afternoon,  before  the  assembled  regiment,  after 
appropriate  music,  Captain  Bliss  delivered  an  excellent 
and  entertaining  oration,  which  was  followed  by  short 
speeches  from  other  officers.  Surely  soldiers  engaged  as 
we  were  had  a  right  to  be  enthusiastic. 

We  now  began  to  hear  again  of  the  invasion  of  Penn 
sylvania  by  the  rebels,  and  rumors  were  afloat  that  we 
were  to  be  sent  once  more  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 

July  7th.  The  rebels  came  down  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  James  and  flung  a  few  shells  across  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  our  camps,  but  were  driven  off  by  our  gun 
boats.  In  the  evening  our  band  serenaded  Brigadier- 
General  Merritt,  our  excellent  commander. 

About  this  time,  a  vessel  load  of  onions  having  been 
sent  to  the  army  and  distributed,  Sargent  writes:  "I 
suppose  they  have  arrived,  for  we  have  received  three  for 
our  mess,  to  be  divided  among  sixteen  men.  There  was 
about  enough  for  a  smell  apiece,  but  even  that  was  good 
for  sore  eyes.  It  shows  their  good  intentions,  and  per 
haps  they  will  do  better  by  and  by — small  favors  thank 
fully  received.  The  cry  of  the  soldiers  is,  *  Onions  and 
Union  forever!' ' 

The  cannonading  heard  almost  every  day  and  night 
was  styled  by  Sargent,  "  Grant's  and  Lee's  City  Point 
Express.  Though  they  are  not  in  partnership,  they  are 
carrying  on  an  extensive  trade  in  the  express  business, 
sending  packages  back  and  forth  by  the  air  line." 

Received  news  of  the  capture  of  Corporal  E.  P.  Gard 
ner  (Troop  E),  July  5th,  in  an  engagement  in  the  Shen 
andoah  Valley,  where  he  was  serving  on  detached  duty. 

July  2^d.  In  anticipation  of  moving,  our  brigade 
was  reviewed  by  Generals  Torbert  and  Merritt. 

Through  the  kindness  of  the  Christian  and  Sanitary 
Commissions — Heaven  bless  them! — we  received  supplies 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  365 

not  furnished  by  the  War  Department — new  and  fresh 
vegetables,  and  various  luxuries  and  articles  of  clothing. 
We  were  now  equipping  and  refitting,  with  our  eyes  on 
the  front,  where  we  knew  some  of  our  brave  men  must 
fall.  Yet  we  kept  up  courage  and  hope,  ready  for  the 
bugles  to  bid  us  mount  and  be  off  for  the  fight. 


36G  SABRES   AND    SPURS. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

BATTLE    OF    DEEP    BOTTOM. 
JULY,   1864. 

[ULY  26th.  Having  rested  three  weeks,  and  re 
cruited  up  to  the  marching  standard,  at  two  o'clock 
P.  M.  we  broke  camp  and,  passing  City  Point,  crossed 
the  Appomattox  River  about  nine  o'clock,  on  pontons, 
and  moved  for  Bermuda  Hundred.  Our  route  led  most 
ly  through  the  woods  on  a  narrow  road  skirted  by  tall 
Southern  pines.  Says  Sargent:  "The  night  was  dark 
as  Egypt.  The  boys  were  sleepy.  They  nod  in  their 
saddles.  Our  band  strikes  up  '  Lanergan's  Ball,3  the 
audience  coming  in  on  the  chorus.  Fine  effect.  Grand 
encore.  ' Lanergan's  Ball'  played  out.  The  boys  enjoy 
another  nap.  They  wake  up,  and  '  wonder  if  they  are 
going  to  run  this  machine  all  night.'" 

On  our  route  large  fires  were  built  to  give  to  the  enemy 
the  impression  that  a  large  force  was  in  motion.  Com 
ing  to  a  halt  at  two  o'clock  A.  M.  (July  27th),  we  were 
ordered  not  to  unsaddle,  but  to  lie  down,  holding  the 
reins  or  tying  them  to  our  legs.  We  were  with  the  Sec 
ond  Corps — excellent  company. 

July  27th.     At  sunrise  we  crossed  the  James  on  pon- 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  367* 

tons  at  Deep  Bottom,  and  advanced  near  to  Malvern. 
Hill,  taking  some  prisoners  on  our  way.  Here  we  came 
into  position  for  action,  about  ten  miles  from  Richmond,, 
and  remained  for  the  night.  The  first  and  second  divis 
ions  of  cavalry  took  position  on  the  right  of  the  Second 
Corps.  The  enemy  were  this  day  driven  from  their  in 
trenched  position,  with  the  loss  of  four  pieces  of  artillery. 

July  28th.  Our  lines  were  extended  from  Deep  Bot~ 
torn  to  Newmarket  road,  but  in  reaching  this  position 
our  front  was  attacked  by  the  rebels  in  heavy  force,  the 
assault  being  made  on  that  part  of  the  line  held  by  our 
brigade.  The  fighting  was  smart,  and  continued  several 
hours;  but  we  finally  repulsed  the  assailants,  capturing 
two  battle  flags  and  about  two  hundred  of  the  enemy.. 
The  Union  loss  was  one  hundred  and  sixty  killed,  wound 
ed,  and  missing.  The  Confederate  loss  was  unknown, 
but  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  of  their  dead  were 
counted  in  one  field.  Our  regiment  had  but  one  man. 
injured — John  Sheridan  (Troop  G),  who  received  a  mus 
ket  ball  in  his  thigh,  grazing  the  femur. 

The  rebel  prisoners  were  astonished  and  chagrined  to 
find  that  they  had  been  beaten  by  dismounted  cavalry 
men — the  ground  not  admitting  of  our  action  on  horse — 
and  averred  that  they  chose  to  fight  with  infantry  like 
themselves.  Our  men  were  armed  with  breech-loading 
carbines,  which  gave  us  a  decided  advantage  in  the 
action  over  those  who  wielded  only  muzzle-loading  pieces. 

One  of  the  captured  battle  flags  belonged  to  the  Eight 
eenth  North  Carolina  Regiment,  and  had  upon  it  seven 
teen  battle  inscriptions,  commencing  with  Bull  Run. 
The  other  belonged  to  the  Twenty-eighth  North  Caro 
lina,  and  was  decorated  with  the  names  of  the  battles  in 
which  that  command  had  participated. 

July  29th.     We  crossed  to  the  north    bank   of   the 


368  SABRES    AND    SPURS. 

James,  and  remained  all  day  dismounted  in  line  of 
battle,  but  at  dark  recrossed,  and  about  midnight  made 
ready  for  a  march.  Indescribably  busy  times  were  now 
upon  us;  the  Avar  grip  was  tightening. 

July  30th.  Between  four  and  five  o'clock  this  morn 
ing  the  famous  Petersburg  mme  was  exploded,  blowing 
up  a  rebel  battery  and  the  most  of  a  regiment,  without, 
however,  accomplishing  all  that  had  been  hoped  in  mak 
ing  a  breach  in  the  rebel  front. 

We  crossed  the  Appomattox  and,  taking  a  route  in 
rear  of  our  army,  marched  to  the  extreme  left  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  near  Reams'  Station.  The  day 
was  extremely  hot  and  the  roads  extremely  dusty;  hence 
great  was  our  discomfort  and  fatigue.  The  steeples  of 
Petersburg  were  plainly  in  view.  The  rebel  shells  from 
the  defenses  of  the  city  were  bursting  over  our  lines. 
We  finally  bivouacked  about  five  miles  east  of  Reams' 
Station,  on  the  Petersburg  and  Weldon  road. 

July  31st.  After  drawing  rations  we  were  ordered 
with  General  Torbert's  division  to  City  Point.  Says 
Sargent:  "A  dusty  set  of  men  we  were.  Mothers  would 
not  have  known  their  sons.  Eyes,  ears,  and  mouth  were 
full  of  the  sacred  soil." 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  3G9 


CHAPTER    XLIV. 

BACK    TO    THE    SHENANDOAH. 
AUGUST,  1864. 

RANT'S  co-operating  force  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  and  West  Virginia,  commanded  at  first 
by  Sigel  and  afterwards  by  Hunter,  instead  of  rendering 
the  efficient  service  expected  was  itself  finally  driven  out 
of  the  valley.  His  way  being  thus  opened  again,  Lee 
resolved  to  try  the  experiment  of  a  third  invasion  of  the 
loyal  States,  hoping  to  compel  Grant  to  raise  the  siege  of 
Richmond  and  hasten  to  the  defense  of  Washington. 
General  Early  was  therefore  despatched  with  a  large 
force  to  march  rapidly  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
cross  the  Potomac,  and  threaten  Baltimore  and  the 
National  Capital.  But  Grant  was  able  to  provide  for 
Washington  without  relaxing  his  iron  grasp  upon  Rich 
mond. 

August  1st.  We  were  among  the  troops  ordered  back 
to  the  Shenandoah  to  meet  the  raids  of  Early.  Our 
horses  were  embarked  on  a  barge  and  our  men  on  the 
steamer  Thomas  Powell,  at  City  Point.  The  troops 
sent  were  the  first  and  third  divisions  of  cavalry. 

August  2d.  We  moved  down  the  James  River  by 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  anchored  inside  of  Point  Lookout. 


370  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [August, 

August  3d.  Steamed  up  the  Potomac  on  a  fine  day, 
the  men  enjoying  the  voyage  greatly,  looking,  telling 
stories,  smoking,  and  resting — a  brief,  bright  spot  in  our 
soldier  life.  Passing  Mount  Vernon  near  noon,  our 
band  played  the  Dead  March  and  national  airs,  the  bell 
on  the  steamer  tolled,  according  to  custom,  the  men 
gathered  and  gazed  on  the  resting  place  of  Washington. 
Passing  Alexandria,  we  landed  at  Geesboro  Point  at  three 
o'clock  P.  M.,  and  camped  near  our  old  ground.  Let  it 
not  be  thought  a  small  task  to  transport  between  eight 
and  ten  thousand  men  and  horses — fully  equipped  cav 
alry  forces — near  three  hundred  miles  in  a  few  days.  It 
was  work. 

August  5th.  Late  in  the  afternoon  we  broke  camp, 
and  passed  through  Washington  by  gas-light,  our  band 
playing,  our  standard  and  guidons  waving,  and  the  side 
walks  crowded  with  spectators;  for  there  was  great  ex 
citement  relative  to  the  rebel  raid.  Near  midnight  we 
encamped  at  Tenallytown. 

August  6th.  Hurrying  on,  we  passed  through  Rock- 
ville  and  Boxboro,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  near 
Hyattstown. 

August  7th.  Starting  with  the  morning,  we  passed 
Urbana,  Jefferson,  Buckeyestown,  Knoxville,  and  arrived 
at  the  foot  of  Maryland  Heights  a  little  before  dark. 
Though  moving  at  this  express-train  speed,  we  were 
not  indifferent  to  what  we  saw  and  heard,  which  was 
much  and  significant.  There  existed  an  impressive  con 
trast  between  Virginia  and  the  portions  of  Maryland 
through  which  we  moved.  In  Virginia  the  houses  were 
closed,  and  the  people  were  glum  and  sullen;  all  indi 
cated  hostility.  Here  the  houses  were  open;  smiling 
faces  were  at  doors  and  windows;  fair  hands  waved  flags 
and  handkerchiefs.  All  cheered  our  band,  who  played 


1864.]  FIRST   KHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  371 

their  choicest  music.  These  people  had  just  had  a  visit 
from  the  rebel  Early,  and  now  bade  us  Godspeed  on  our 
way  to  push  him  back  and  give  him  the  strokes  he 
deserved. 

August  8th.  Reaching  Harper's  Ferry,  we  thought  of 
the  John  Brown  raid,  looked  on  the  ruins  of  the  Govern 
ment  Arsenal,  and  passed  on  to  Halltown,  where  we  had 
the  renewed  pleasure  of  meeting  the  Second  Rhode  Island 
Infantry  and  the  widely  famous  Rhode  Island  Batteries, 
under  Captains  Waterman,  Rhodes,  and  Buckley.  We 
had  only  too  little  time  to  exchange  greetings. 

To  learn  the  whereabouts  of  Early's  ever  changing 
front  and  lines,  we  were  ordered  to  make  a  remarkable 
inarch  and  reconnoissance.  The  risks  of  the  movement 
were  many  and  great;  but  this  sort  of  service  was  the 
special  function  of  the  cavalry  arm. 

August  9th.  Major  Farrington  led  us  out  to  probe 
the  rebel  front.  Leaving  Halltown  at  two  o'clock  P.  M., 
we  bore  our  standard  through  Oharlestown — of  John 
Brown  memory — glancing  at  court-house,  jail,  and  the 
spot  of  Brown's  execution,  and  while  realizing  that 

"  Jolm  Brown's  body  lies  mouldering  in  the  grave," 
were  equally  sure  that 

"  John  Brown's  soul  goes  marching  on." 

Speeding  across  the  Shenandoah  River,  we  pressed 
over  the  mountains  through  Snicker's  Gap  to  Snicker- 
yille,  where  weariness  and  darkness  bade  us  halt. 

August  10th.  In  our  saddles  by  daylight,  we  dashed 
over  mountain  spurs  and  through  valleys,  in  cavalier 
style,  hunting  for  the  "gray  backs."  Again  we  passed 
through  Middleburg — tragic  and  historic  place  to  our 
command.  Again  we  pressed  over  Mount  Gilead — the 


372  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [August, 

height  we  passed  in  1 862— and  made  a  halt  for  dinner- 
such  as  it  was — eaten  with  sabre  in  hand,  in  the  face  of 
the  foe.  Here  the  guerrillas  made  demonstrations  on 
our  videttes,  and  were  seen  on  all  sides,  but  never  reveal 
ing  themselves  in  such  numbers  and  positions  as  to  make 
it  an  object  to  pursue  them.  We  were  now  far  beyond 
the  Federal  lines,  and  'exposed  every  moment  to  an  at 
tack.  We  passed  unhurt  to  Waterford,  where  weariness 
compelled  us  to  pass  the  night. 

August  llth.  With  spurs  and  sabres  bright  and  ready 
at  the  first  streak  of  day,  we  pushed  forward  through  the 
beautiful  but  hostile  country.  Refording  the  Shenan- 
doah,  we  reached  Harper's  Ferry  to  find  that  the  army 
had  advanced  up  the  valley.  We  had  been  out  two  days, 
and  had  travelled  one  hundred  and  twelve  miles,  chiefly 
beyond  our  lines,  without  the  loss  of  man  or  beast.  It  had 
been  reported  at  army  headquarters  that  we  were  cap 
tured.  General  Torbert  regretted  that  we  had  been  sent, 
deeming  the  command  too  small  to  ever  return  without 
severe  loss,  as  Mosby  had  a  much  larger  force  along  the 
track  pursued.  In  fact,  the  order  for  this  scout  was  a 
clerical  error,  it  being  the  General's  design  that  we 
should  go  to  Millwood — a  few  miles  from  army  head 
quarters — instead  of  Middleburg.  Under  the  circum 
stances  our  scout  was  deemed  remarkable.  We  captured 
a  rebel  lieutenant  of  cavalry  with  his  horse  and  arms. 
We  also  secured  several  horses  from  the  country. 

To  better  explain  our  movements  about  this  time,  we 
may  briefly  mention  the  steps  of  Early  in  his  raid.  He 
had  dashed  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  crossed  the 
Potomac,  pushed  General  Wallace  at  Monocacy,  ad 
vanced  on  Washington  to  Rockville,  where  he  was  re 
pulsed,  and  then  fell  back,  but  was  overtaken  by  General 
Wright  (Sixth  Corps)  at  Snicker's  Ferry,  and  was  finally 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  373 

met  and  severely  handled  by  General  Averill  at  Win 
chester.  Soon,  however,  gathering  new  strength,  he 
returned  upon  Maryland,  and  even  advanced  upon  Penn 
sylvania,  where,  July  30th,  he  burned  Chambersburg, 
'but  immediately  retreated  towards  Cumberland. 

On  the  7th  .of  August  General  Sheridan  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  the  "Middle  Military  Division,"  in 
cluding  Washington,  West  Virginia,  and  Susquehanna. 
We  were  with  the  divisions  of  cavalry  sent  with  him  from 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  Generals  Torbert  and 
Wilson.  And  now  Sheridan  was  pressing  Early  back. 

August  12th.  Under  the  morning  light  we  pushed 
on  to  join  the  army,  from  which  our  raid  of  over  a  hun 
dred  miles  had  partially  separated  us.  On  our  way  we 
were  highly  pleased  to  fall  in  with  our  old  commander, 
General  Duffle;  who  heartily  greeted  us  in  his  peculiar, 
cavalier  and  gallant  manner,  and  to  whom  we  gave  ring 
ing  and  enthusiastic  cheers.  Passing  through  Charles- 
town  and  Berryville,  we  bivouacked  near  Winchester. 
The  march  of  twenty-five  miles  prepared  us  to  covet  and 
enjoy  rations  and  sleep. 

The  country  in  which  we  now  were  contrasted  strong 
ly  with  that  around  Petersburg;  there  all  was  low,  level, 
and  monotonous,  and  the  roads  extremely  dusty;  here 
we  had  hills  and  mountains,  brooks  and  rivers  of  cool, 
clear  water,  and  often  solid  roads;  Yet  day  and  night 
in  our  saddles,  obeying  bugle  orders,  hunting  for  Mosby's 
raiders  and  Confederate  scouts,  and  guarding  the  skirts 
of  a  moving  army,  we  could  only  give  bird's-eye  glances 
at  the  beauties  and  grandeurs  of  the  country. 

T.  A.   G.  Hall  (Troop  C)   died  in  hospital,   at  City 

Point,  Va.,  August  16th.     Corporal  G.  W.  Gorton  (Troop 

D)  was  killed  July  llth,  in  one  of  the  skirmishes  with 

Early's  forces.     P.  J.   Rounds  (Troop  G)  died  in  hos- 

32 


374  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [August, 

pital,  at  Annapolis,  August  5th.  John  Sheridan  (Troop 
G),  wounded  July  28th,  died  of  his  wounds  in  hospital 
August  5th. 

Under  General  Sheridan,  in  the  valley,  General  Tor- 
bert  was  chief  of  cavalry,  and  General  Herri tt  command 
ed  the  first  division,  and  Colonel  Gibbs,  of  the  First  New 
York  Dragoons,  commanded  our  brigade.  Captain  Rog 
ers,  of  our  regiment,  was  detailed  to  act  as  Assistant 
Inspector- General,  on  General  Herritt's  staff. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  375 


CHAPTER    XLV. 

RAID     NEAR    BERRYVILLE. 
AUGUST,  1864. 

UGUST  13th.  At  a  very  early  hour  the  army  sup 
ply  train  began  to  pass  us,  en  route  for  Winchester. 
Near  sunrise  a  lieutenant  of  the  Quartermaster  Depart 
ment  came  galloping  into  our  bivouac  with  the  alarm 
that  the  rear  of  the  supply  train  had  been  attacked  by 
Mosby's  guerrillas  near  Berryville — five  miles  distant. 
Instantly  Major  Farrington  ordered  the  bugles  to  sound 
"  Boots  and  Saddles,"  and  away  we  flew  at  double-quick 
even  for  cavalry. 

The  train  guard  consisted  of  two  regiments  of  "one 
hundred  days  men  "  from  Ohio,  who  were  engaged  at 
their  breakfast  when  the  attack  was  made.  They  were 
so  surprised  and  excited  by  the  attack  of  the  raiders  that 
they  forgot  their  loaded  guns,  and  sought  safety  by  flight. 
A  few  veterans  amongst  them  did  what  they  could,  and 
killed  a  few  of  the  enemy.  Mosby  had  a  mountain  how 
itzer,  whose  barking  aided  in  unnerving  the  raw  Ohioans. 

On  reaching  Berryville  we  found  that  the  guerrillas 
had  descried  our  column  by  the  dust  we  stirred,  and  had 
turned  upon  their  heels.  They  however  seized  and  run 


376  SABRES   AND    SPURS.  [August, 

off  the  teams  from  about  seventy-five  wagons,  and  cap 
tured  about  forty  men.  Some  of  the  wagons  they  plun 
dered;  others  they  set  on  fire;  twenty- two  were  entirely 
burned.  Our  men  extinguished  the  flames  from  eighteen 
wagons;  fifty  were  untouched,  but  we  had  no  mules  for 
moving  them.  Our  sabres  prevented  the  guerrillas  from 
finishing  their  intended  work.  When  we  entered  the 
town  some  of  the  infantry  men  recovered  courage  and 
returned  to  their  posts  of  duty. 

Our  brigade  train  was  at  the  point  attacked;  hence  our 
regiment  suffered  a  serious  loss  of  property.  Many  of 
our  officers  lost  all  their  clothing  save  what  they  were 
wearing.  There  perished  all  our  regimental  and  com 
pany  books  and  papers — a  sad  loss  indeed,  as  our  records 
had  been  well  kept,  and  were  of  great  value  to  the  com 
mand,  both  in  a  pecuniary  and  historical  way.  More 
over, — what  we  particularly  deplored — our  fine  regiment 
al  flag,  presented  to  us  by  the  ladies  of  Providence,  being 
in  the  Adjutant's  box,  waiting  for  a  new  staff,  perished 
in  the  flames.  Yet  we  preferred  its  destruction  by  fire 
to  its  capture  by  the  rebels. 

Jesse  W.  Angell  (Troop  B),  regimental  forage  master, 
who  was  with  the  wagon  train,  fell  from  his  horse  and 
was  so  severely  injured  that  he  lived  but  a  few  minutes. 
Esteemed  as  one  of  the  best  men  in  our  regiment,  his 
death  was  greatly  lamented,  and  he  was  very  tenderly 
buried,  in  a  black  walnut  coffin,  in  the  grave-yard  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  at  Berryville.  William  Tourgee  was 
missing,  reported  as  wounded. 

As  we  could  do  no  more  for  the.  train,  resuming  our 
march,  we  reached  Winchester  about  five  o'clock  P.  M. 

The  operations  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  during  Au 
gust  and  the  first  part  of  September  were  both  offensive 
and  defensive  on  the  part  of  both  armies,  resulting  in 


18G4.J  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  377 

numerous  severe  skirmishes,  conducted  chiefly  by  the 
cavalry,  in  which  generally  the  Union  sabres  turned  back 
the  Confederates.  The  rebels  lay  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Opequan  Creek,  covering  Winchester.  Our  forces 
were  in  front  of  Berryville.  Of  course  the  line  varied  as 
the  opposing  forces  were  successful  in  their  blows.  We 
now  held  Winchester,  and  our  front  was  at  Strasburg, 
where  the  enemy  held  a  strong  position. 

August  14th.  Leaving  Winchester  in  the  morning, 
we  passed  up  the  Staunton  pike  and  joined  the  army  at 
Middletown,  reporting  to  our  brigade.  Our  band  played 
their  most  animating  selections  to  cheer  the  weary  soldiers 
around  us.  In  reference  to  the  late  scout  and  perils 
through  which  we  had  passed,  and  when  it  was  reported 
that  we  had  been  cut  off  and  captured,  General  Mclntosh 
said:  "The  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  has  as  many 
lives  as  a  cat.  They  will  be  all  cut  to  pieces  one  day, 
and  be  all  right,  ready  for  duty,  the  next."  During  our 
absence  on  the  scout  our  brigade  had  shared  in  several 
skirmishes,  and  lost  four  officers  and  fifty-three  men 
killed  and  wounded,  principally  from  the  First  New 
York  Dragoons,  a  veteran  and  noble  command.  Others 
had  suffered  sharp  blows. 

At  this  time  the  army  under  Sheridan  numbered,  of 
all  arms,  about  thirty  thousand  men.  Early's  force  was 
estimated  at  twenty  thousand;  but  he  was  on  his  own 
ground — secession  soil — and  among  his  friends.  How 
ever,  we  steadily  pushed  him  back  and  advanced  the  flag 
of  the  Union. 


378  SABRES   AND   SPUKS.  [August, 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

BATTLE     NEAR    FRONT    ROYAL. 
AUGUST,  1864. 

,OW  rare  a  tiling  was  rest  for  the  cavalry  arm  of 
the  service.     As  van  or  rear-guard,  or  in  flank  or 
scout  duty,  we  were  continually  moving,  so  long  as  our 
horses  could  endure.     And  no  field  demanded  more  vigi 
lant  and  exhaustive  cavalry  service  than  the  valley  of  the 
Shenandoah  and  its  skirting  mountains.     There  were 
weighty  reasons  why  the  Confederates  were  intent  on. 
holding  possession  of  this  rich  and  beautiful  region.     In 
a  strategic  view,  it  was  the  military  key  to  northern  Vir 
ginia,  and  the  natural  protection  to  Harper's  Ferry  and 
the  upper  Potomac.     Even  Washington,  Maryland,  arid 
Pennsylvania  were"   insecure  while   the  rebels   had  the 
range  of   this  valley.      Besides,   it  furnished  immense 
and  valuable  supplies  of  wheat,  oats,  corn,  horses,  cattle, 
and  forage.     More  productive  land  is  scarcely  found  un 
der  the  sun.     Altogether  considered,  this  long,  fertile, 
well-watered,   delightful  region  was  worth  contending 
for  at  great  price;  and  the  army  operations  conducted  in 
it  during  the  rebellion  would  furnish  material  for  a  large 
and  exciting  volume. 


1804.]  FIKST    RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY. 

August  16th.  With  the  morning  we  were  ready  for 
new  service,  and  the  new  duties  were  not  distant.  Leav 
ing  our  bivouac  we  marched  to  Nineveh,  a  small  village 
near  seven  miles  north  of  Front  Royal.  About  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Kershaw's  division  of  Long- 
street's  corps  and  two  brigades  of  Confederate  cavalry- 
crossed  the  Shenandoah  River  at  Front  Royal.  This 
signified  that  they  intended  work.  The  force  comprised 
two  thousand  infantry  and  Imboden's  cavalry,  fifteen 
hundred  strong,  in  all,  three  thousand  five  hundred  men. 

General  Merritt's  force — the  first  and  second  brigades 
of  our  cavalry  division,  led  respectively  by  General  Ouster 
and  Colonel  Devens — numbered  in  all  about  three  thou 
sand  effective  men.  With  these  General  Merritt  gave 
the  enemy  battle,  and  a  lively  fight  it  was.  We  smote 
the  rebels  and  hurried  them  back  across  the  river.  Out 
loss  was  forty-seven  killed  and  wounded,  but  we  cap 
tured  about  three  hundred  of  the  enemy  and  two  of  their 
battle  flags.  In  this  action  the  Southern  sabres  did  not 
exhibit  their  usual  edge  in  meeting  our  Northern  steel, 
but  quite  uncavalierly  left  the  work  to  be  done  by  the 
infantry. 

At  this  time  Sheridan  had  in  all  eighteen  thousand 
infantry  and  five  thousand  cavalry.  Early  had  been  re 
inforced  by  two  divisions  of  infantry,  with  some  cavalry 
and  artillery. 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  .    [August, 


CHAPTER    XL  VI  I. 

PEELING    THE    VALLEY. 
AUGUST,  1864. 

UGUST  17th.     The  following  order,  long   to  be 

remembered,   was   complacently   received   by   the 

troops  of  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah: 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION,  ) 
CEDAR  CREEK,  VIRGINIA,  August  16,  1864.      j 
General: — In  compliance  with  instructions  of  the  Lieutenant- 
General  commanding,  you  will  make  the  necessary  arrangements 
and  give  the  necessary  orders  for  the  destruction  of  the  wheat 
and  hay  south  of  a  line  from  Millwood  to  Winchester  and  Petti 
coat  Gap.     You  will  seize  all  mules,  horses,  and  cattle  that  may 
be  useful  to  our  army.     Loyal  citizens  can  bring  in  their  claims 
against  the  Government  for  this  necessary  destruction. 

No  houses  will  be  burned,  and  officers  in  charge  of  this  delicate 
but  necessary  duty  must  inform  the  people  that  the  object  is  to 
make  this  valley  untenable  for  the  raiding  parties  of  the  rebel 
army.  Very  respectfully, 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Brigadier-General  A.  T.  A.  TORBERT, 

Chief  of  Cavalry,  Middle  Military  Division. 

The  execution  of  this  order  was  commenced  on  the 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  381 

day  it  was  received,  and  followed,  as  circumstances  fa 
vored,  till  the  latter  part  of  November.  But  the  17th  of 
August  will  be  remembered  as  sending  up  to  the  skies 
the  first  great  columns  of  smoke  and  flame  from  doomed 
secession  barns,  stacks,  cribs,  and  mills,  and  the  driving 
into  loyal  lines  of  flocks  and  herds.  The  order  was  care 
fully  yet  faithfully  obeyed.  The  rebels  had  pitched  and 
played  the  tune  that  "to  the  victors  belong  the  spoils," 
and  now  the  matter  of  spoils  had  a  home  application  that 
was  felt.  The  time  had  fully  come  to  peel  this  land  and 
put  an  end  to  the  long  strifes  for  its  possession.  Sheri 
dan  was  to  do  for  the  valley  what  Grant  was  doing  for 
Eichmond — clean  it  out.  The  flames  here  shortened  the 
work  of  war,  and  so  were  a  mercy.  Loss  of  property  is 
nothing  as  measured  with  blood.  The  order  led  to  the- 
destruction  of  about  two  thousand  barns,  seventy  mills,. 
and  other  property,  valued  in  all  at  twenty-five  millions 
of  dollars. 

As  the  inhabitants  of  London  Valley  not  only  sympa 
thized  warmly  with  the  rebellion,  but  largely  assisted 
guerrilla  bands, — indeed  many  of  them  being  in  Mosby's 
command — the  flames  at  last,  in  November,  purified  that 
valley  also.  As  our  boys  expressed  it,  "we  burned  out 
the  hornets." 

August  18th.  We  reached  our  old  camp  at  Berryville, 
about  twenty  miles  south  of  Harper's  Ferry.  Owing  to. 
the  loss  of  our  train,  on  the  14th,  we  were  obliged  to 
depend  upon  the  country  for  the  subsistence  of  men  and 
horses;  hence  the  new  supply  train  that  reached  us  on 
the  19th  was  particularly  welcome.  A  good  macadam 
ized  pike  connected  Harper's  Ferry  with  Berryville. 

August  19th.  A  band  of  Mosby's  guerrillas  captured 
and  murdered  sixteen  men  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Michi 
gan  Cavalry.  They  even  killed  one  man  who  was  sta- 


382  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [August, 

tioned  as  a  safeguard  at  a  farm-house.  Naturally  and 
justly,  these  things  warmed  our  blood  with  indignation. 
For  honorable  enemies  we  had  the  respect  belonging  to 
loyal  and  true  men,  and  for  lawful  warfare  we  had 
sacred  regard;  but  for  cowards,  sneaks,  and  cut- throats, 
men  who  would  murder  the  wounded  and  defenseless 
and  slay  safeguards,  we  had  no  tender  sentiments  or 
gentle  philosophy.  Scouts  were  sent  out  to  search  for 
the  dastards,  determined  to  show  them  no  favor.  Scouts 
and  skirmishes  furnished  us  constant  occupation.  One 
of  our  men,  Isaac  Westcott  (Troop  F),  was  captured  on 
the  17th. 

August  20th.  Quite  an  excitement  was  stirred  in 
camp  by  an  inrushing  party  of  foragers,  at  whose  heels 
was  a  band  of  guerrillas;  but  the  "Johnnies"  were  good 
at  running  in  return. 

August  21st.  We  had  orders  to  report  to  General 
Torbert,  our  chief  of  cavalry,  at  his  headquarters  in 
Charlestown,  to  act  as  his  escort — body-guard — a  position 
of  special  honor.  Our  band  became  now  the  musicians 
for  the  corps  headquarters — an  honorable  rank,  of  which 
they  were  worthy. 

We  were  ordered  to  escort,  from  Berry ville  to  Charles- 
town,  about  twenty  wagon  loads  of  male  citizens  of  the 
valley,  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  sixty,  who  had 
been  ordered  by  Sheridan  to  leave  our  lines.  Most  of 
them  were  of  that  chivalrous  class  of  Virginians  who  by 
day  appeared  as  farmers  and  meek-minded,  much-injured 
citizens,  but  by  night  were  belted,  booted,  and  spurred 
for  guerrilla  operations  and  the  plundering  and  burning 
of  trains.  As  a  general  fact,  a  white  Virginian  you 
might  not  trust.  The  negroes  you  could  trust  at  all 
times. 

August  22d.     Affairs  were  squally  again.     The  head- 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  383 

•quarters  teams  and  band  were  ordered  back  to  Harper's 
Ferry.  General  Torbert,  with  our  regiment,  went  out  on 
a  reconnoissance.  The  enemy  was  again  pressing  upon 
our  lines.  We  found  General  DufhVs  division  covering 
the  retreat,  much  like  movements  in  drilling  at  Manas- 
•sas  and  his  ruse  on  the  battle  field  of  the  second  Bull 
Run.  It  seemed  like  a  drill,  not  a  fight. 

Major  Farrington  was  now  Provost  Marshal  of  the 
corps.  Captain  Rogers  had  been  chosen  aid-de-camp  to 
•General  Merritt,  and  Captain  Thayer  was  Assistant  In 
spector  of  the  reserve  brigade.  Captain  Bliss  commanded 
the  provost  guard,  Troops  B  and  C.  Major  Turner 
commanded  our  regiment. 

The  relations  of  our  command  at  this  time  being 
understood,  they  will  explain  why,  in  subsequent  actions, 
we  were  only  occasionally  called  to  engage  as  of  old  in 
the  desperate  fighting,  and  yet  will  sufficiently  indicate 
the  fact  that  both  officers  and  men  were  constantly  in 
positions  of  clanger,  being  called  to  act  as  aids  and 
•couriers  and  bearers  of  despatches,  often  filling  the  most 
perilous  places  in  such  duties. 

In  the  reconnoissance  with  General  Torbert,  after  con 
siderable  skirmishing  the  cavalry  retired  to  Shepards- 
town  to  guard  the  fords  in  that  vicinity,  and  also  protect 
the  right  flank  of  the  army. 


•'384  SABRES  AKD  SPURS.  [August, 


CHAPTER    XLVIII. 

SKIRMISH     WITH     B  R  E  CK  I  N  RI  D  GE  . 
AUGUST— SEPTEMBER,  1864. 

iF  this  collision  of  forces — Torbert  vs.  Breckin- 
ridge — that  occurred  between  Shepardstown  and 
Martinsburg,  near  Halltown,  we  choose  to  let  our  excel 
lent  and  humorous  comrade,  G.  A.  Sargent,  speak  from 
his  valuable  diary.  By  the  way,  he  was  a  valuable 
member  of  our  band,  and  formerly  bugler  for  Troop  L; 
and  our  readers  will  allow  that  there  was  music  in  him. 
Hereafter  we  shall  often  and  largely  borrow  from  his 
journal. 

"August  25th.  The  whole  corps  go  out  on  a  rccon- 
noissance  in  force  towards  Martinsburg,  but  before  reach 
ing  there  run  into  the  rob  pickets,  which  are  driven  in. 
Shortly  we  come  to  the  main  body.  A  skirmish  line  is 
thrown  out;  lines  of  battle  are  formed;  rail  fences  are 
torn  down;  batteries  are  planted;  every  preparation  is 
made  for  a  fight.  The  General  advances  to  the  skirmish 
line;  we  follow,  expecting  to  be  set  to  playing.  . 

"The  skirmishers  of  both  sides  occupy  a  piece  of 
woods,  and  are  popping  away  lively  at  each  other.  We 
halt  in  a  piece  of  woods  at  the  edge.  Had  been  there  not 
more  than  five  minutes  when  the  rebs  made  a  charge,  driv 
ing  back  our  line  on  the  run.  The  balls  began  to  hum  un- 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  385 

comfortably  close  about  our  ears.  Great  yelling  by  the 
rebs,  uproar,  smoke,  dust,  and  confusion.  Have  dim 
recollections  of  seeing  men  and  horses  fall;  officers  shout 
ing  to  the  men  to  keep  cool  and  steady.  Presently  one 
of  our  batteries  opens  fire  from  a  small  hill  but  a  stone's 
throw  behind  us,  throwing  the  shells  over  our  heads,  and 
while  the  battery  boys  are  dealing  death  and  destruction 
among  the  rebels  we  fall  back  to  a  position  behind  the 
battery,  and  strike  up  the  '  Star  Spangled  Banner. '  Great 
noise,  excitement,  and  confusion.  The  rebs  are  flanking 
us;  we  have  to  fall  back  to  a  new  position;  they -closely 
follow.  Our  forces  keep  slowly  falling  back,  fighting 
every  inch  of  the  way.  The  headquarters  are  moved  two 
miles  back. 

"  We  enter  a  field  and  hitch  our  horses  to  a  fence;  the 
boys  proceed  to  boil  themselves  a  cup  of  coffee,  or  roast 
a  piece  of  pork  on  a  stick.  Had  been  here  about  half  an 
hour  when  a  body  of  rebs  suddenly  made  their  appear 
ance  from  a  corn  field,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road, 
and  gave  us  a  volley.  There  was  a  very  rapid  movement 
towards  the  horses,  leaving  coffee  and  pork  behind. 
Though  the  balls  whizzed  over  our  heads  and  struck  in 
the  dirt  around  us,  none  of  our  crowd  got  hurt.  Some 
stragglers,  however,  in  a  barn-yard  were  killed. 

"  Custer's  Michigan  brigade,  that  had  just  passed  along 
the  road  towards  the  front,  turned  and  gave  the  rebs  the 
contents  of  their  seven-shooters,  but  at  last  got  cut  off 
and  had  to  ford  the  Potomac  into  Maryland.  The  New 
Hampshire  regiment  lost  pretty  heavily.  Our  loss  was 
greater  than  that  of  the  rebs,  they  having  the  advantage, 
being  on  foot,  as  they  were  infantry,  while  we,  being  on 
horse,  could  not  take  such  good  aim.  Our  regiment  had 
one  man  captured — B.  F.  Hiscox,  of  Troop  F.  This 
was  the  first  time  we  ever  played  on  the  battle  field, 
38 


386  SABRES    AXD    SPURS.  [August, 

and  don't  care  about  repeating  it  very  often.  Although 
I  liked  the  excitement,  I  did  n't  like  the  music  of  those 
lead  pills  which  were  flying  about  so  carelessly. 

"Bivouacked  for  the  night  near  Harper's  Ferry,  in  a 
field  where  there  was  neither  rail  nor  stick.  Some  of 
the  boys  used  their  saddles  for  pillows,  and  tied  the 
halters  to  the  saddles.  About  midnight  one  of  the 
horses  got  scared,  and  off  he  went,  saddle  and  all.  The 
sleeper  awakes  at  the  sudden  departure  of  his  pillow,  and 
commences  a  search  for  a  lost  horse,  floundering  over  the 
stones  and  through  the  wet  grass. 

"August  26th.  Went  to  Harper's  Ferry;  crossed  the 
Potomac  on  pontons  near  the  old  arsenal;  travelled  up 
the  canal  tow-path;  passed  through  Antietam  and  Sharps- 
burg,  arriving  at  Hagerstown  in  the  afternoon.  As  we 
entered  the  city  playing,  we  were  met  by  a  delegation  of 
ragged  urchins,  who  escorted  us  through  the  streets, 
giving  vent  to  their  enthusiasm  By  yelling  and  tossing 
their  caps  in  the  air.  The  ladies  exhibited  their  loyalty 
by  waving  the  flag  and  their  handkerchiefs,  and  sweetly 
smiling.  ' Their  bright  eyes  haunt  me  still.' 

"In  the  evening  we  took  our  stand  in  front  of  the 
hotel — the  General's  headquarters — and  gave  the  Hagers- 
towners  a  free  concert,  to  the  delight  of  the  younger 
portion  of  humanity,  and  I  guess  of  the  older  portion 
too,  for  when  we  got  through,  some  of  the  '  angels  with 
out  wings '  presented  us  with  some  huge  watermelons, 
probably  thinking  we  were  out  of  wind  and  needed  some 
thing  to  recruit  on.  We  thanked  them  in  melon-c\\o\y 
style.  During  the  night  some  of  the  boys  dreamed  that 
they  wrere  coining  to  a  watery  grave.  If  this  is  a  seedy 
joke,  it  must  be  laid  to  the  melons. 

"August  28th.  Left  Hagerstown  at  eight  o'clock  A. 
M. ;  halted  at  Sharpsburg  about  three  hours;  saw  houses 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  387 

that  had  been  pierced  by  balls  in  the  battle  of  Antietam. 
An  old  lady  with  a  whole  soul  and  Christian  sentiments 
made  me  the  happy  recipient  of  a  home-made  pie — proba 
bly  taking  me  for  a  youth  of  pie-ous  ideas.  Long  may 
she  wave!  In  the  afternoon  we  forded  the  Potomac, 
passed  through  Shepardstown,  and  near  midnight  reached 
Charlestown,  camping  in  the  field  where  John  Brown's 
body  was  left  dangling  in  the  air. " 

The  army  was  now  again  advancing  up  the  valley.  On 
the  30th  we  marched  to  Berryville,  where  the  headquar 
ters  of  our  corps  remained  nearly  three  weeks.  The 
third  cavalry  division,  under  Wilson,  were  off  on  a  scout, 
and  brought  in  as  trophies  a  whole  South  Carolina  regi 
ment  of  infantry,  including  even  their  colonel  and  their 
colors.  Our  loss  was  about  six  killed  and  twenty  wounded. 

August  31st.  We  very  regretfully  parted  with  Cap 
tain  Joseph  J.  Gould,  who,  from  impaired  health,  was 
impelled  to  resign.  He  was  a  warm  friend,  a  firm  patriot, 
and  a  faithful  officer.  Being  our  senior  Captain,  and  of 
solid  qualities,  he  was  familiarly  known  as  "the  General." 

September  2d.  Returned  to  Charlestown,  but  were 
instantly  ordered  back  to  Berryville. 

September  3d.  Marched  to  White  Post,  halting  at 
four  o'clock;  went  into  bivouac.  After  our  leaving 
Berryville  the  rebels  advanced  their  left  and  had  a 
sharp  skirmish  with  General  Sheridan's  infantry,  there 
by  cutting  us  off  from  the  main  army.  General  Sheri 
dan  sent  a  despatch,  by  a  scout,  to  the  cavalry,  but  it 
failed  to  reach  us.  General  Torbert  sent  Sergeant  Lyman 
Aylesworth,  with  two  men,  to  General  Sheridan,  at  Berry 
ville.  When  within  a  mile  of  Berryville,  the  Sergeant 
found  the  rebels  in  his  front,  and  passing  to  his  right 
came  round  by  the  left  of  our  army,  reporting  to  Sheri 
dan  about  dark.  At  ten  o'clock  P.  M.  he  was  sent  by 


388  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

Sheridan,  on  fresh  horses,  with  a  despatch  to  General 
Torbert,  rolled  in  tin-foil,  to  be  kept  in  his  mouth  and 
swallowed  in  case  he  was  captured.  When  a  short  way 
out  he  met  Captain  Capron  and  a  company,  on  their  way 
to  General  Sheridan.  Being  ordered  to  avoid  the  enemy 
if  possible, — the  chances  of  capture  being  against  him — 
after  gaining  a  cross-roads  he  was  to  take  to  the  fields. 
In  the  darkness  he  was  obliged  to  dismount  and  feel  the 
roads  with  his  hands.  While  searching  in  this  way, 
Captain  Capron  and  his  command  came  up  with  him, 
the  Captain  having  been  sent  to  make  sure  that  Torbert 
should  get  the  order.  Expecting  every  moment  to  be 
challenged  and  fired  upon,  they  at  last  reached  White 
Post  and  delivered  the  order.  Instantly  orders  were 
given  to  saddle,  but  to  blow  no  bugles. 

The  above  may  illustrate  the  delicate  and  dangerous 
missions  on  which  our  officers  and  men  were  often  sent 
while  acting  as  the  General's  body-guard.  Upon  our 
fidelity  and  courage  often  the  fate  of  the  army,  or  of 
large  portions  of  it,  depended.  And  this  was  the  kind 
of  duty  in  which  the  whole  regiment  was  employed 
while  at  the  General's  headquarters. 

September  4th.  At  daylight  we  retraced  our  steps, 
and  after  some  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  rejoined  the 
army,  and  established  our  camp  midway  between  Berry- 
ville  and  Summit  Point,  near  the  headquarters  of  the 
army — the  Sixth  Corps  and  the  cavalry. 

Back  of  our  camp  was  a  stone  house,  on  the  front 
steps  of  which  the  Chaplain  held  Sunday  services,  with 
the  regiment  in  a  half  circle  around  him.  On  one  of 
these  occasions,  says  Sargent,  "  the  boys  were  caring 
more  for  their  bodily  than  their  spiritual  welfare;  for  the 
old  lady's  sliced  apples,  which  she  had  left  on  the  back 
window-sill  to  dry,  disappeared  before  the  sermon  did.J> 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  38$ 


CHAPTER    XLIX. 

BATTLE     OF    OPEQUAN. 
SEPTEMBER,  1864. 

EPTEMBER  19th.  We  break  camp  at  two  o'clock 
A.  M.,  marching  shortly  in  the  direction  of  Win 
chester.  We  meet  the  enemy  posted  on  the  opposite 
side  of  Opequan  Creek,  and  skirmishing  commences. 
Two  pieces  of  artillery  are  brought  into  position  and 
shell  the  rebels  vigorously  for  a  time,  but  as  they  are 
protected  by  breastworks  they  sustain  but  little  damage. 
Presently  some  of  our  cavalry  cross  the  stream  farther 
down,  drive  the  rebel  cavalry  picketing  the  bank,  get  in 
the  rear  of  the  infantry  guarding  the  ford,  and  capture 
the  whole  squad  with  their  officers — about  sixty  in  all. 
As  the  rebel  cavalry  were  retreating  up  the  hill,  our  guns 
threw  a  few  shells  after  them;  one  cavalry  man  and  his 
horse  dropped  instantly.  We  cross  the  creek,  the  rebel 
cavalry  slowly  falling  back,  their  sharp-shooters  firing  on 
our  advance  from  trees.  We  continue  on,  marching  by 
column  in  the  road,  with  a  strong  skirniish  line  ahead, 
until  we  come  to  the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  when  the 
corps  was  stretched  out  right  and  left,  and  fighting  com 
menced  in  earnest. 
33* 


390 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 


The  headquarters  were  located  a  short  distance  in  the 
rear  of  the  line  of  battle.  Owing  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground — wooded  hills — we  could  not  see  much  that  was 
going  on;  but  the  noise  indicated  a  lively  time,  while  the 
infantry,  some  distance  to  our  left,  nearer  Winchester, 
were  also  having  warm  work.  Frequently  small  squads 
of  "Johnnies"  would  arrive  at  headquarters,  to  be  taken 
care  of  by  our  regiment.  The  fighting  continued  all  day 
with  little  advantage  to  either  side,  until  towards  night, 
when,  after  several  charges  on  our  part,  the  enemy  gave 
way,  and,  being  closely  pressed,  broke  and  began  to 
retreat  in  confusion.  The  cavalry  followed  them,  cap 
turing  twenty-five  hundred  prisoners,  five  pieces  of  artil 
lery,  nine  battle  flags,  and  all  the  rebel  dead  and  wound 
ed,  and  sent  the  foe  "whirling"  through  Winchester. 

On  our  side  we  lost  General  Russell,  of  the  Sixth  Corps, 
deeply  lamented  by  the  whole  army.  At  midnight  Cap 
tain  Baker,  with  an  escort,  took  the  body  towards  Har 
per's  Ferry  to  have  it  embalmed  and  sent  home. 

September  21st.  Started  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  passed 
through  Winchester,  Newtown,  Middletown,  and  halted 
near  Strasburg.  The  roads  testified  that  the  rebels  had 
been  in  a  hurry  the  day  before;  they  were  strewn  with 
muskets,  knapsacks,  canteens,  clothing,  and  all  sorts  of 
army  material.  In  the  middle  of  the  road  were  broken 
down  wagons,  teamsters  having  cut  the  harnesses  and 
escaped  on  the  horses.  We  bivouacked  on  the  north 
side  of  the  town,  close  to  General  Sheridan's  headquar 
ters,  while  the  rebels  occupied  a  strong  position  on  the 
south  side  of  Fisher's  Hill.  This  morning  General  Sher 
idan  received  a  commission  from  Washington  promoting 
him  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General  in  the  Regular 
Army,  as  a  reward  for  the  victory  at  Winchester.  We 
congratulated  him  on  his  success  with  a  few  appropriate 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  391 

remarks  through  our  instruments.  Meantime,  prepara 
tions  were  made  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  his  position. 
The  cavalry  divisions,  under  Merritt  and  Wilson,  were 
ordered  up  the  Luray  Valley  to  get  in  the  rear  of  the 
rebels.  We  crossed  the  Shenandoah,  passed  through 
Front  Royal,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  a  few  miles 
beyond. 

September  22d.  Marched  early.  In  the  afternoon 
came  to  a  body  of  the  enemy  occupying  a  strong  posi 
tion  at  Millford.  Fought  them  all  the  afternoon  with 
out  dislodging  them;  so  we  fell  back  a  few  miles  and 
bivouacked. 

September  23d.  Falling  back,  we  passed  through 
Front  Royal  and  came  suddenly  upon  a  party  of  guer 
rillas,  who  had  captured  an  ambulance  on  its  way  back 
to  the  main  army  with  wounded  men.  They  had  taken 
the  horses  and  guard,  and  robbed  the  wounded.  Lieu 
tenant  McMaster,  of  the  Second  Regulars,  mortally 
wounded  the  day  before,  was  found  in  the  woods,, 
robbed  and  stripped,  and  just  alive  when  we  reached 
him.  One  man  was  found  in  the  church  stripped 
naked.  After  a  short  chase  two  of  the  guerrillas  were 
captured,  some  were  killed,  and  others  made  their  es 
cape.  The  two  captured  were  given  their  choice,  to 
lead  a  party  to  Mosby's  haunts,  or  die.  They  preferred 
to  be  hung.  Preparations  were  made  to  hang  them. 
Major  Farrington— Provost  Marshal— by  order  of  Gen 
eral  Torbert,  notified  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  town 
that  if  like  inhumanities  were  repeated  the  town  would 
be  laid  in  ashes. 

Two  pieces  of  rope  with  nooses  were  prepared.  The 
criminals  were  led  to  a  knoll  a  short  distance  away.  The 
ropes  were  thrown  over  limbs  of  the  trees.  The  con 
demned  were  asked  if  they  were  ready.  The  smaller  one 


392  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

asked  for  a  Bible,  which  being  furnished,  he  read  a  few 
moments  and  offered  a  short  prayer.  The  other  looked 
on  with  indifference.  The  nooses  were  placed  around 
their  necks,  and  placards  were  pinned  on  their  bodies, 
reading,  "Hung  in  retaliation  for  the  murder  of  United 
States  soldiers."  Their  hands  fastened  behind  them, 
the  halters  finally  adjusted,  the  bodies  were  pulled  up. 
On  a  distant  hill  was  a  group  of  men  said  to  be  rebels, 
who  witnessed  through  their  glasses  all  these  proceedings. 

Our  halt  here  did  not  occupy  more  than  two  hours. 
We  recrossed  the  Shenandoah  by  the  bridge  where  our 
brave  New  Hampshire  battalion  lost  so  heavily  in  their 
famous  action  of  May  30th,  1862.  Bivouacking  about 
three  miles  from  the  river,  we  waited  for  wagons  and 
rations. 

Having  unsaddled,  cooked  our  dinner,  and  eaten,  a 
despatch  reached  us  from  Sheridan,  announcing  another 
great  victory,  and  ordering  us  to  push  on  with  all  speed, 
to  cross  the  mountains,  and,  if  possible,  head  off  the 
enemy.  Though  tired  and  without  supplies,  we  were  off 
at  once,  enthusiastically  cheering  for  the  victory.  The 
report  was  brief.  The  Nineteenth  Corps  got  in  the  rear 
of  the  rebels  and  smote  them,  while  the  Sixth  Corps  at 
the  same  time  struck  them  in  front,  surprising  them 
and  capturing  guns,  colors,  and  men.  Pressing  through 
Front  Royal — where  the  guerrillas  were  hanging  as  we 
left  them — we  marched  till  midnight. 

September  24th.  After  about  three  hours  of  sleep  we 
were  off  again.  Ran  into  the  rebel  cavalry  in  the  fore 
noon,  when  a  skirmish  line  was  thrown  out  and  troops 
placed  in  position  for  action.  After  an  hour's  skirmish 
the  rebels  fell  back,  and  we  entered  the  town'  of  Luray 
about  noon.  Shortly,  popping  was  heard  near  at  hand, 
and  the  bugles  blew  "to  horse"  and  "double-quick." 


1864.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  393 

Our  regiment,  with  General  Torbert  at  their  head,  dashed 
out  in  the  direction  of  the  firing,  and  after  a  few  shots 
put  the  rebels  to  flight.  And  here,  at  the  foot  of  the- 
Blue  Kidge,  we  bivouacked  for  the  night.  During  the 
day  we  had  one  man  captured — W.  H.  Cooke  (Troop  A). 


394 


SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 


CHAPTER    L. 

ON     TO    STAUNTON. 
SEPTEMBER,  1864. 

^EPTEMBER  25th.  Started  early  to  cross  the 
mountains  by  the  splendid  road,  wide  and  smooth, 
winding  gracefully  up  the  ascent,  making  it  easy  travel 
ling  for  the  horses.  Reached  the  summit  shortly  after 
sunrise;  the  air  cool  and  almost  piercing;  the  view  mag 
nificent;  a  sight  for  an  artist;  the  country  below  in  full 
view,  stretching  away  in  the  distance  with  towns,  vil 
lages,  rivers,  and  plantation  residences  as  mere  specks. 
Altogether  it  was  the  most  splendid  sight  we  had  yet 
met.  Passing  through  Newmarket,  the  signs  indicated 
that  the  inhabitants  were  of  the  Dutch  persuasion.  Out 
side  of  the  town  we  found  our  teams  parked,  where  we 
halted  and  drew  rations.  Partaking  of  a  good,  square 
Government  meal,  after  one  or  two  days'  fast,  we  resumed 
our  march  and  reached  nearly  to  Harrisonburg. 

September  26th.  Passed  through  Harrisonburg  play 
ing  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner,"  the  sick  and  wounded 
"Johnnies,"  of  which  the  town  was  full,  standing  on 
the  sidewalks  looking  with  all  their  eyes,  while  the 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  395 

•women  peered  out  of  half -closed  blinds  to  see  the  pass 
ing  Yanks.  Our  regiment  arrived  in  Staunton  about 
four  in  the  afternoon,  the  rebels  having  just  evacuated 
in  great  haste.  Staunton,  ninety  miles  from  Winchester, 
and  the  terminus  of  the  splendid  road  running  tip  the 
valley,  is  a  large  and  handsome  town,  containing  many 
public  buildings,  a  retreat  for  insane,  one  for  deaf  and 
dumb,  and  a  ladies'  seminary;  now  the  base  of  supplies 
for  the  rebel  army. 

Our  boys  promptly  took  possession  of  a  Confederate 
Government  bakery  in  full  operation,  rolling  out  loaves 
for  the  rebel  army.  We  kept  the  knights  of  dough  at 
their  work,  though  they  looked  sour  and  full  of  wonder, 
probably  questioning  whether  to  obey  Yankee  orders. 
K"o  doubt  they  kneaded  the  bread  for  their  own  army, 
but  we  considered  it  belonging  to  the  trophies  of  war. 
To  weary,  hungry  soldiers,  hot  biscuit  and  fresh  bread 
had  an  enjoyable  relish.  We  bivouacked  in  the  border 
of  the  town. 

September  27th.  All  the  Confederate  Government 
warehouses  were  thoroughly  cleaned  out.  The  teams 
took  all  that  was  needed  to  camp;  the  remainder  was 
destroyed.  Those  who  had  a  large  bump  of  destructive- 
ness  had  the  pleasure  of  gratifying  it  to  the  fullest 
extent.  Millions'  worth  of  property  perished — arms, 
ammunition,  clothing,  rations,  saddles,  horse  equipage, 
and  Government  goods  of  every  kind.  Railroads  were 
torn  up,  sleepers  burned,  rails  twisted,  bridges  fired, 
telegraph  wires  cut,  and  poles  chopped  down.  The  fire 
demon  reigned  supreme  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  and 
Staunton  had  some  costly  ashes.  Late  in  the  day,  while 
the  first  division  pushed  out  in  one  direction,  we  dashed 
off  with  the  third  division  to  Waynesboro,  where  we 
bivouacked. 


396  SABRES  A>TD  SPURS.  [September, 

September  28th.  Major  Farrington,  with  Captain 
Bliss'  squadron,  was  engaged  in  tearing  down  the  iron 
railroad  bridge  near  Waynesboro.  Captain  Baker  de 
stroyed  a  tannery.  We  made  it  a  point  to  destroy  what 
ever  would  strengthen  and  support  the  rebel  army. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  397 


CHAPTER    LI. 

CAPTIVITY    OF    CAPTAIN     GEORGE     N.     BLISS. 
SEPTEMBER,  1864— FEBRUARY,  1865. 

EPTEMBER  28th.  Our  regiment  was  in  bivouac 
on  the  outskirts  of  Waynesboro.  About  three  in 
the  afternoon,  Major  Farrington  directed  Captain  Bliss 
to  enter  the  town  and  order  the  provost  guard  to  pro 
hibit  the  soldiers  from  entering  the  houses  while  passing 
or  repassing  for  the  purpose  of  watering  their  horses. 
The  Captain  delivered  his  order,  and  was  watching  the 
party  of  soldiers  pulling  down  the  iron-work  of  the  rail 
road  bridge  crossing  the  Shenandoah  (the  wood-work 
having  been  burned),  when  suddenly  the  sound  of  shots 
was  heard  in  the  distance,  and  the  rebels  were  seen  driv 
ing  in  our  pickets.  Immediately  the  Captain  ordered 
the  provost  guards  to  form  a  line  across  the  main  street 
of  the  town  and  stop  all  stragglers  from  the  front.  The 
enemy  being  in  force  pushed  our  men  back  towards  the 
river.  Captain  Bliss,  having  gathered  about  thirty  men, 
thought  to  encourage  our  forces  and  check  the  enemy 
by  charging  across  the  river,  with  loud  cheering,  to  pro 
duce  the  impression  that  reinforcements  were  arriving, 
and  for  a  few  moments  the  charge  checked  the  advanc 
ing  foe. 
84 


398  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

When  near  the  front,  one  of  Colonel  Lowell's  aids 
directed  Captain  Bliss  to  take  his  command  to  the  ford 
of  the  river  and'  there  stop  all  stragglers.  Promptly 
obeying  the  order,  the  Captain  stopped  about  a  hundred 
and  fifty — men  belonging  chiefly  to  the  Regulars,  who 
had  become  demoralized.  With  the  aid  of  some  of  the 
Regular  officers,  these  men  were  formed  in  line,  when  a 
rebel  Cattery  began  dropping  shells  among  them,  and 
away  they  went  again,  sweeping  with  them  to  the  rear 
the  Captain's  small  force,  and  all  passed  to  the  other 
side  of  the  river. 

Getting  together  again  some  of  the  men  of  our  regi 
ment,  the  Captain  ordered  a  barricade  constructed  across 
the  main  street;  but  it  was  soon  evident  that  this  could 
not  be  completed  in  time  to  be  of  use,  as  Colonel  Lowell 
could  not  longer  hold  in  check  the  enemy  with  the  small 
force  at  his  command.  Leaving,  therefore,  the  barri 
cade  and  passing  a  short  distance  to  the  rear,  Captain 
Bliss  found  the  Third  New  Jersey  Cavalry  (the  "butter 
flies  " — so  called  from  their  original  uniform)  drawn  up 
in  column  of  squadrons.  Meanwhile,  Colonel  Lowell 
was  falling  back  from  the  front — himself  the  last  man  to 
fall  back,  the  enemy  close  to  him  and  their  carbine  bul 
lets  falling  around  him.  The  Captain  now  riding  up  to 
-the  Colonel,  the  following  occurred: 

Captain.  "Colonel  Lowell,  I  had  but  a  few  of  the 
provost  guards,  and  did  what  I  could  with  them  to  help 
you." 

Colonel.  "Well,  Captain,  we  must  check  their  ad 
vance  with  a  sabre  charge.  Is  n't  that  the  best  we  can 
do?" 

Captain.     "I  think  so,  Colonel." 

Coming  up  to  the  Third  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  Colonel 
Lowell  said  to  the  officer  in  command,  "Major,  let  your 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  399 

first  squadron  sling  their  carbines,  draw  their  sabres,  and 
charge."  The  squadron  was  disheartened  by  having 
seen  the  other  troops  driven  back.  Colonel  Lowell  said, 
"Give  a  cheer,  boys,  and  go  at  them."  At  the  same 
moment  he  and  Captain  Bliss,  waving  their  sabres,  start 
ed  for  the  enemy  on  a  gallop,  the  squadron  responding 
with  a  cheer  and  following.  After  dashing  on  a  short 
distance,  Colonel  Lowell  drew  out  to  one  side,  to  be  ready 
to  move  other  troops  to  the  support  of  the  charging 
squadron,  and  Captain  Bliss  was  left  to  lead  the  charge, 
who,  on  his  swift  and  powerful  horse,  on  reaching  the 
barricade  before  mentioned,  found  himself  a  long  dis 
tance  in  advance  of  his  men,  and,  reining  up,  looked 
back  and  saw  the  squadron  coming  on  in  good  order,  and, 
looking  forward,  saw  the  enemy— some  fifty  yards  away 
— turning  to  retreat.  The  ground  descended  towards  the 
rebels,  and  everything  seemed  favorable  for  a  successful 
charge.  The  squadron  approaching,  the  Captain  said, 
"Come  on,  boys!  they  are  running,"  and  dashed  in 
among  the  rebels,  to  find  himself  the  only  Yankee  on 
duty  at  that  particular  point. 

The  officer  of  the  New  Jersey  squadron  was  afterwards 
taken  prisoner  and  placed  in  the  same  cell  with  Captain 
Bliss,  and  explained  the  retreat  of  the  squadron.  Ho 
stated  that  two  regiments  of  rebels  were  drawn  up  so  as 
to  give  a  flanking  fire  across  the  road,  and  he  therefore 
shouted  to  Captain  Bliss  to  come  back,  and  wheeling  the 
squadron,  fell  back. 

The  rebel  cavalry  among  whom  the  Captain  found 
himself  were  in  column  of  fours,  riding  loosely  in  full 
retreat,  and  therefore  with  their  backs  towards  him;  they 
so  riding  that  there  was  one  file  on  his  right  and  three 
on  his  left.  In  the  dash  of  the  charge,  the  Captain  got 
so  far  into  the  ranks  of  the  rebels  that  he  saw  that  his 


400  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

only  chance  of  escape  was  in  moving  with  them  till  he 
should  come  to  a  cross  street,  where  he  might  deflect  and 
return  to  the  Union  lines.  Some  of  the  rebels  behind 
him,  discovering  his  character,  shouted,  "Kill  that  d — d 
Yankee  ! "  "  Kill  that  son  of  a  b— h  ! " 

The  Captain  had  used  his  sabre  both  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  struck  six  good  blows,  four  of  which  took 
effect,  the  last  one  falling  across  the  head  of  the  color- 
bearer  who  held  the  Virginian  sic  semper  tyrannis  flag. 
In  two  cases  the  rebels  saw  the  coming  sabre,  and,  instead 
of  parrying  it,  escaped  by  throwing  themselves  length 
wise  upon  their  horses. 

Just  as  he  struck  the  color-bearer  the  Captain  discov 
ered  a  cross  street  on  the  left,  near  the  centre  of  Waynes- 
boro,  and,  dashing  through  the  three  files  of  the  enemy, 
entered  the  street.  Up  to  that  time  he  had  felt  that 
death  was  almost  certain;  now  for  an  instant  he  thought 
life  was  possible,  with  his  swift  horse  and  no  rebels  in 
his  immediate  front,  although  another  body  of  the  enemy 
was  on  his  left.  At  last  some  of  the  bullets  whistling 
about  him  struck  his  horse,  that,  falling,  threw  him  from 
his  saddle,  leaving  him  stretched  upon  the  ground  on 
his  right  side. 

Before  he  could  rise,  two  rebel  cavalry  men  galloped  up 
to  him,  and  one,  holding  a  carbine  by  the  small  of  the 
stock,  struck  at  him  with  the  barrel;  the  other  struck 
him  with  a  sabre.  The  Captain  could  only  parry  the 
blow  of  the  carbine,  and  received  the  rebel  sabre  cut 
upon  his  forehead,  over  the  right  eye.  Staggering  to 
his  feet,  he  said,  "For  God's  sake,  do  not  kill  a  pris 
oner."  "  Surrender,  then,"  said  the  Confederate  soldier. 
"I  surrender,"  answered  the  Captain.  At  that  instant 
he  was  struck  in  the  back  with  such  force  as  to  thrust 
him  two  steps  forward.  Turning,  he  saw  that  a  rebel 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  401 

horseman  had  stabbed  him  with  a  sabre,  the  weight  of 
rider  and  horse  having  given  the  weight  to  the  blow, 
that  would  have  proved  fatal  but  for  the  ignorance  of 
the  sabre  drill  manifested  by  the  would-be  murderer, 
who  omitted  the  turn  of  the  wrist  necessary  to  have 
given  the  sabre  smooth  entrance  between  the  ribs  into 
the  body. 

The  Captain  also  saw  another  rebel  taking  aim  at  him 
with  a  revolver,  and  at  once  called  for  protection  as  a 
Freemason,  hearing  which,  a  rebel  officer  of  the  craft 
struck  up  the  soldier's  pistol,  and  directed  that  the  Cap 
tain  should  be  spared  and  taken  to  the  rear  and  have 
his  wounds  dressed.  Before  he  was  taken  back,  how 
ever,  one  soldier  said,  "Give  me  that  watch;"  another 
said,  "Give  me  your  pocket-book;"  and  another,  "Get 
out  of  them  boots."  The  gold  watch  and  money  were 
parted  with,  but  the  boots  were  saved  for  the  time  by  the 
appearance  of  the  soldier  ordered  to  take  him  to  the  rear. 
Seated  behind  the  mounted  soldier,  the  blood  from  his 
wound  wetting  the  soldier's  jacket,  the  Captain  was 
started  for  the  hospital.  He  was  so  kindly  treated  by 
this  soldier  that  he  gave  him  his  boots  in  exchange  for 
his  shoes. 

After  his  wounds  were  dressed  at  the  field  hospital, 
the  Captain  was  put  into  an  ambulance  with  a  wounded 
rebel  lieutenant,  who  informed  him  that  it  was  his  sabre 
that  inflicted  the  heavy  cut  at  the  base  of  the  brain, 
pronounced  a  severe  wound  by  the  surgeon,  yet  curable. 
This  lieutenant  was  also  a  Mason,  and  did  all  in  his 
power  for  the  Captain's  comfort,  giving  him  cider-brandy 
to  prevent  fainting  from  loss  of  blood. 

A  painful  ride  of  three  miles  in  the  ambulance  brought 
the  Captain,  with  the  other  wounded,  to  a  small  house 
near  the  railroad  tunnel  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 
34* 


402  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 

The  wound  in  the  body  having  injured  the  lungs,  he  had 
great  difficulty  in  breathing,  and  the  surgeon  gave  him 
morphine  to  induce  sleep.  As  his  eyes  were  closing  he 
discovered  two  soldiers  busying  themselves  about  his  per 
son,  and  who,  in  spite  of  his  remonstrances,  took  off  his 
shoes  and  pantaloons  and  carried  them  away,  leaving  him 
to  pass  the  frosty  night  with  only  under-clothing  to  pro 
tect  the  lower  part  of  his  body.  In  the  morning  the 
pantaloons  were  returned,  but  not  the  shoes  and  eighty- 
five  cents  in  silver  in  the  pantaloons  pocket.  So,  on  the 
second  day  of  life  in  the  Confederate  States,  the  Captain 
found  himself  barefooted  and  bare-headed,  with  only 
three  fractional  currency  half  dollars  as  a  financial  basis. 

Near  night  on  this  day  (September  29th)  all  the 
wounded  were  loaded  on  cars  and  taken  to  Charlottes- 
ville,  where  were  large  permanent  hospitals,  and  where 
the  Captain  received  kind  treatment  from  all,  and  es 
pecially  from  the  surgeon  in  charge,  J.  S.  Davis,  Pro 
fessor  of  Anatomy  and  Materia  Medica  in  the  University 
of  Virginia.  He  was  placed  in  a  room  with  Captain 
Farr,  of  a  New  York  regiment,  who  had  received  a  mor 
tal  wound  at  Waynesboro,  and  died  a  few  days  after 
reaching  this  hospital. 

In  five  days  the  wound  on  the  Captain's  head  healed, 
as  did  also  a  small  cut  on  his  nose,  received  at  the  same 
time  by  the  same  sabre.  The  wound  in  his  body  healed 
rapidly,  but  from  careless  dressing  was  re-opened,  and 
did  not  finally  heal  till  after  several  weeks'  treatment  in 
Libby  Prison  hospital.  After  remaining  about  two  weeks 
at  Charlottesville  he  was  taken  to  Lynchburg,  where  he 
was  kept  two  days,  and  received  a  blanket  from  one  of 
the  guards  who  was  a  Mason,  and  was  then  taken  to  Lib 
by  Prison,  in  Richmond. 

He  was  first  placed  in  the  hospital,  but  on  the  healing 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  403 

of  his  wound  was  removed,  December  8th,  to  the  quar 
ters  occupied  by  the  Union  officers.  On  the  next  day 
(December  9th)  he  was  placed  in  a  cell  under  Libby 
Prison,  as  a  hostage  for  a  rebel  sentenced  to  be  hung  un 
der  Burnside's  famous  death -order  in  East  Tennessee. 
There  were  nine  officers  thus  confined  as  hostages  at  that 
time.  Captain  Bliss,  Lieutenants  Markbreit,  Parey,  and 
Fowle  were  hostages  for  privates  George  P.  Sims,  W.  I. 
Burges,  John  Manes,  and  Thomas  M.  Campbell,  of  the 
Confederate  States  army,  held  in  confinement,  under 
sentence  of  death  by  the  United  States,  at  Johnson's 
Island,  Ohio. 

The  cell  in  which  he  was  placed,  with  four  other 
officers,  was  twelve  feet  long  and  five  feet  wide — their 
bodies  covering  about  half  the  floor  when  they  lay  down 
at  night.  It  contained  a  slop  pail,  a  water  pail,  a  small 
stove,  and  no  chairs;  the  floor  furnished  seats.  The 
wood  furnished  was  green  pine,  which  could  be  burned 
only  after  being  split  into  splinters  by  a  case-knife  and 
brick,  and  being  dried  by  being  packed,  cob  house  style, 
around  the  stove.  The  food  supplied  was  corn-bread, 
rice,  black  beans,  and  sometimes  salt  meat  or  salt  fish. 
The  rice. and  beans  were  full  of  bugs  and  worms.  All 
the  food  was  poor  in  quality  and  insufficient  in  quantity, 
so  that  they  were  always  hungry.  The  cell  was  dimly 
lighted  in  the  day-time.  No  rays  of  the  sun  ever  reached 
it,  and  no  light  was  allowed  in  it  at  night. 

The  cell  (or  pen)  was  constructed  of  thin  pine  boards, 
with  a  floor  about  eighteen  inches  above  the  ground; 
and  in  rainy  weather  water  gathered  in  a  pool  under  the 
cell  and  remained  stagnant  to  poison  the  air  with  its  vile 
exhalations,  which  rose  through  the  gaping  cracks  of 
the  roughly  built  pen.  These  box  cells  would  not  have 
held  their  inmates  fifteen  minutes  but  for  the  presence  of 


404  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [September, 

a  sentinel  with  loaded  musket,  who  paced  up  and  down 
in  front  of  them,  and  through  a  hole  in  the  door  of  each 
could  watch  the  doings  of  the  prisoners.  Sickness  was 
inevitable  in  such  a  place,  and  the  Captain  suffered  from 
aggravated  disease  of  the  stomach  and  bowels.  Only  a 
strong  constitution  saved  him  from  death. 

On  the  23d  of  January,  1865,  after  the  Captain  had 
been  forty-five  days  in  the  cell,  the  hostages  were  in 
formed  that  arrangements  had  been  made  for  their  ex 
change  for  the  rebels  for  whom  they  were  holden,  and 
they  were  released  from  their  pens  and  returned  to  the 
quarters  usually  occupied  by  prisoners.  As  the  Captain 
was  suffering  from  sickness,  he  was  placed  in  the  hos 
pital,  where  he  remained  until  February  5th,  1865,  on 
which  day,  with  nine  Union  officers  and  about  one  thou 
sand  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Federal  army,  he  passed 
down  the  James  River  on  the  rebel  flag  of  truce  boat, 
and  was  once  more  permitted  to  see  the  old  flag  of  his 
country — the  Stars  and  Stripes— never  before  to  him  so 
full  of  glory  and  of  comfort. 

After  a  sick  leave  of  absence  of  thirty  days,  not  being 
sufficiently  recovered  for  duty  in  the  field,  Captain  Bliss 
was  placed  on  duty  as  president  of  a  court-martial  at 
Annapolis,  Md.,  in  which  position  he  remained  until 
mustered  out  of  service,  May  15,  1865,  the  close  of  the 
war  having  rendered  his  services  no  longer  necessary  as  a 
soldier. 


1864.]  FIRST  RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  405 


CHAPTER    LII. 

DOWN     THE    VALLEY    AGAIN. 
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER,  1864. 

HE  encounter  of  Captain  Bliss  with  the  rebels, 
narrated  in  the  preceding  chapter,  was  the  begin 
ning  of  the  engagement  described  in  the  opening  of  this 
chapter  by  the  pen  of  Sargent. 

"September  28th.  In  the  afternoon,  returning  to 
Waynesboro  from  the  river  after  watering  our  horses,  we 
were  met  in  the  town  by  a  party  on  their  way  from  tho 
front,  having  been  out  scouting  in  the  mountains.  'Short 
ly  we  hear  firing  in  the  direction  from  which  we  had  just 
come.  Instantly  in  our  saddles,  the  General  led  our 
regiment  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  commotion,  and 
the  fatigue  party  sent  out  in  the  forenoon  came  rushing 
back  after  their  horses.  The  rebels,  having  been  rein 
forced  by  Kershaw's  division,  which  came  through  Swift 
Run  Gap,  commenced  throwing  shells  over  the  town. 
Hurrying  our  guns  into  position,  we  return  the  saluta 
tions.  They  try  to  outflank  us,  and  we  fall  back.  It 
was  now  dark  and  we  could  see  the  flash  of  their  guns, 
the  shells  sometimes  screaming  over  our  heads.  The 
enemy  being  too  numerous  for  our  cavalry  division  (all 


406  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

the  force  we  had  here),  we  commenced  to  retreat  soon 
after  nine  o'clock  at  night,  passing  through  Stan n ton, 
and  marching  all  night,  following  and  protecting  our 
wagon  trains. 

"A  weary  march  it  was  over  the  hills.  Tired  and 
sleepy  cavaliers  we  were.  We  had  quite  a  number  of 
prisoners  with  us  on  foot.  One  of  our  men,  compassion 
ating  the  prisoner  he  had  in  charge,  and  himself  desir 
ing  a  change,  allowed  the  prisoner  to  mount  his  horse, 
whereupon  the  rebel  returned  the  favor,  in  the  darkness, 
by  slipping  out  of  the  column  and  vanishing,  leaving  our 
man  minus  horse,  equipments,  rations,  forage,  and  extra 
clothing.  On  being  remonstrated  with  for  his  conduct 
and  the  loss,  he  declared  he  would  make  the  loss  good, 
which  he  did  in  a  very  short  time.  During  the  night 
we  lost  two  men  by  capture — John  Ruthford  (Troop  D), 
and  Harrison  W.  Kempton  (Troop  H). 

"  September  29th.  After  halting  at  sunrise  long 
enough  to  make  our  coffee  and  cook  our  pork,  we  re 
sumed  our  march,  passing  through  Bridgewater,  where 
our  rear-guard  had  something  of  a  skirmish.  Reaching 
Harrisonburg  we  camped,  and  remained  about  a  week." 

This  retrograde  movement  was  necessitated  by  the  fact 
that  Early  still  held  the  gaps  of  the  mountains  and  had 
been  reinforced.  Our  cavalry  had  hoped  to  reach  Lynch- 
burg.  But  Sheridan  retired  to  bide  his  time.  Our  late 
successes,  however,  had  been  splendid.  From  Septem 
ber  12th  to  the  27th,  Sheridan  had  captured  near  six 
thousand  sound  rebels  and  several  thousand  wounded 
ones,  and  twenty-three  pieces  of  artillery.  We  had 
burned  and  destroyed  an  untold  amount  of  property. 
On  our  retreat  we  left  all  the  Confederate  property  we 
could  in  ashes  or  in  ruins.  The  last  forty  miles  of  our 
movement  up  the  valley  had  been  made  chiefly  with  cav- 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  407 

airy;  hence  we  were  unable  to  cope  with  the  large  force 
of  the  rebels  of  all  arms  of  the  service. 

October  2d.  A  happy  event — received  from  the  Pay 
master  our  wages  for  six  months.  As  for  these  delays  in 
our  pay,  Uncle  Sam  found  it  difficult  to  catch  us  on  the 
wing,  and  did  not  like  to  push  his  money  chest  on  to 
skirmish  lilies  and  into  battles. 

This  evening  we  had  a  fire  in  town.  The  bells  gave 
the  alarm.  Our  boys  got  out  the  only  machine  in  town 
— a  sort  of  relic — and  made  it  do  good  service. 

October  5th.  Lieutenant  Meigs,  of  General  Sheridan's 
staff,  while  out  surveying,  was  shot  by  guerrillas.  For 
this  deed,  the  General  ordered  all  the  houses  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  Bridgewater  burned,  and  General  Ouster  executed 
the  order  in  his  customary  prompt  and  thorough  man 
ner,  the  flames  of  burning  buildings  lighting  the  country 
for  miles  around. 

About  this  time  we  commenced  to  muster  out  of  ser 
vice  such  of  our  men  as  had  served  their  three  years;  that 
is,  such  as  had  not  re-enlisted.  Thus,  almost  daily,  our 
numbers  were  being  reduced  by  the  honorably  discharged 
men — men  who  had  bravely,  nobly  fulfilled  their  army 
vows.  Those  who  have  followed  us  from  the  autumn  of 
18&1  through  our  long,  circuitous,  perilous  marches,  and 
through  our  scouts,  raids,  and  battles,  will  not  be  slow 
to  award  honor  and  lasting  remembrances  to  the  rank 
and  file  of  our  command.  Our  benedictions  were  upon 
our  men  as  they  left  us. 

October  6th.  "  Broke  camp  at  six  in  the  morning 
and  marched  all  day,  bivouacking  at  night  five  miles 
south  of  Newmarket."  The  cavalry  of  the  army  were 
stretched  across  the  valley  from  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Alleghanies,  guarding  the  rear  of  the 
army,  burning  everything  in  their  path  that  could  give 


408  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

aid  or  comfort  to  the  rebels,  and  driving  with  them  all 
live  stock,  that  the  valley  might  be  henceforth  a  barren 
war-path  to  our  pursuers.  The  most  positive  orders, 
however,  were  given  not  to  burn  dwelling-houses. 

October  7th.  Were  off  at  daylight.  Passed  through 
Newmarket,  halted  at  Edenburg,  and  finally  passed 
through  Woodstock,  selecting  our  bivouac  just  beyond  it. 

October  8th.  Marched  all  day  and  reached  Strasburg, 
the  rebel  cavalry  following  closely  and  almost  constantly 
skirmishing  with  us.  The  time  had  now  come  for  the 
tide  to  turn.  We  had  drawn  the  enemy  far  enough 
down  the  valley,  and  had  learned  quite  thoroughly  the 
extent  of  h-is  strength. 

In  his  report  to  General  Grant,  at  this  time,  Sheridan 
says:  "I  have  destroyed  over  two  thousand  barns  filled 
with  grain  and  farm  implements,  seventy  mills  filled 
with  flour  and  wheat,  have  driven  in  over  four  thousand 
head  of  stock,  and  have  issued  to  the  army  not  less  than 
three  thousand  sheep."  Such  blows  upon  the  waning 
resources  of  the  Confederate  army  were  keenly  felt. 


1SG4.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  409 


CHAPTER    LIII. 

THE    WOODSTOCK    RACES. 
OCTOBER,  18ti4. 

TOBER  9th.  This  morning  both  cavalry  divis 
ions  were  ordered  back  to  give  the  rebel  cavalry  a 
sound  thrashing  for  their  late  neighborly  offices.  We 
found  them  near  Fisher's  Hill,  when  skirmishing  im 
mediately  commenced.  Our  headquarters  were  selected 
on  a  hill  where  we  could  overlook  a  part  of  the  lines  of 
both,  forces.  After  about  two  hours  of  sharp  fighting, 
the  rebel  lines  began  to  waver  and  showed  signs  of  ex 
haustion  and  discouragement.  Both  our  divisions  were 
ordered  to  charge.  That  was  a  dash  and  stroke  of  sabres 
worth  seeing,  if  one  has  a  martial  eye  and  a  loyal  heart. 
The  pen  of  historian  may  not  depict  that  exciting,  heroic, 
thrilling  scene.  Fisher's  Hill  may  forever  retain  the 
memory  of  that  hour.  The  rebels  were  rolled  back  and 
routed.  As  they  retreated  on  the  double-quick,  our  boys 
closely  followed  them  for  about  twenty-six  miles  to  Mount 
Jackson,  most  of  the  wray  on  the  run;  and  we  captured 
eleven  pieces  of  artillery — all  the  rebel  cavalry  had,  save 
one  piece — also  all  their  teams  and  ambulances,  and 
about  seven  hundred  prisoners. 

Guidons  streaming,  carbines  gleaming, 
Pistols  bristling,  bullets  whistling, 
Charging  with  their  deadly  hail, 
35  Smote  they  like  a  furious  gale. 


410  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

The  five  guns  captured  by  the  first  division  belonged 
to  a  Baltimore  battery  that  had  just  received  them  from 
Richmond,  having  lost  their  others  at  the  Fisher's  Hill 
fight  the  month  before.  The  six  captured  by  the  third 
division  were  the  same  that  this  division  lost  in  the  pre 
vious  summer,  when  on  a  raid  near  Reams'  Station,  south 
of  Petersburg.  The  rebels  were  pushed  up  the  valley 
beyond  Woodstock. 

As  the  two  armies  had  passed  and  repassed  this  place 
of  late  in  such  rapid  manner,  this  last  affair,  so  swift  in 
action,  was  humorously  styled  "the  Woodstock  races." 
The  rebel  running  was  certainly  good.  Night  shutting 
down  on  us,  our  cavalry  rejoined  the  army.  ' '  We  were 
well  pleased  with  our  day's  work,  having  given  the  rebel 
cavalry  the  soundest  whipping  they  ever  had.  We  biv 
ouacked  near  Middletown,  where  we  finally  stopped  over 
a  month." 

On  the  10th  of  October  the  army  crossed  to  the  nprth 
side  of  Cedar  Creek.  About  the  10th,  the  following* 
despatch  from  Longstreet  to  Early  was  taken  off  the 
rebel  signal  flag  on  Threetop  Mountain:  "Be  ready  to 
move  as  soon  as  my  forces  join  you,  and  we  will  crush 
Sheridan."  How  he  crushed  "Little  Phil"  will  appear 
in  the  next  chapter. 

October  1 8th.  Near  our  camp  took  place  an  execution, 
according  to  a  court-martial  held  in  our  camp  in  obedi 
ence  to  the  following  order: 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS, MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION,  ) 

October  13,  1864.      j 
[SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  34.] 

[Extract.] 

5.  A  drum-head  court-martial  is  hereby  ordered  to  convene  at 
the  headquarters  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  on  this  13th  day  of 
October,  1864,  at  4  o'clock  P.  M.,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practi- 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  411 

cable,  for  the  trial  of  John  Jatz.     Detail  for  the  court,  Captain 
Allen  Baker,  Jr.,   Lieutenant  Richard  J.    Burgess,   Lieutenant 
Barnard  Ellis.     The  court  will  sit  without  regard  to  hours. 
By  command  of 

Brevet  Major-General  TORBERT. 
WILLIAM  RUSSELL,  Jr. , 

Major  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  person  was  charged  with  firing  upon  our  soldiers 
and  plundering.  He  admitted  that  he  was  a  deserter 
from  a  New  York  regiment,  and  had  shot  both  Union 
and  Confederate  soldiers  and  then  robbed  them.  He 
was  sentenced  to  be  shot.  The  Chaplain  was  appointed 
to  notify  him  of  his  sentence  and  the  time  of  his  execu 
tion.  At  the  appointed  time  (October  18th),  Major  Far- 
rington,  Provost  Marshal,  brought  the  prisoner  to  the 
foot  of  his  grave,  a  few  rods  from  our  camp.  After  a 
prayer  by  the  Chaplain,  the  prisoner  said  it  was  all  right, 
and  thanked  the  Chaplain  for  his  kindness.  He  was 
then  shot  by  a  file  of  soldiers  from  our  regiment. 


412 v  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 


CHAPTER    LIV. 

BATTLE     OF     CEDAR     CREEK. 
OCTOBER,  1864. 

^CTOBER  ISth.  "The  enemy,"  says  Sheridan 
in  his  report,  "had  gathered  all  his  strength,  and 
in  the  night  of  the  18th  and  early  on  the  19th,  moved 
silently  from  Fisher's  Hill  through  Strasburg,  pushed  a 
heavy  turning  column  across  the  Shenandoah  on  the 
road  from  Strasburg  to  Front  Royal,  and  again  recrossed 
the  river  at  Bowman's  Ford,  striking  General  Crook,  who 
held  the  left  of  our  line,  so  unexpectedly  and  forcibly  as 
to  drive  in  his  outposts,  invade  his  camp,  and  turn  his 
position.  This  was  followed  by  a  direct  attack  upon  our 
front,  and  the  result  was  that  the  whole  army  was  driven 
back  in  confusion  to  a  point  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
north  of  Middletown."  But  let  our  comrade  Sargent 
speak: 

"  October  19th.  Heard  the  big  guns  speak;  heard  the 
cry  of  'The  rebs  are  coming.'  Instantly  the  bugles 
sounded  'Boots  and  Saddles.'  Tents  came  down  in  a 
hurry.  Everything  was  packed  in  shortest  order.  In 
about  ten  minutes  we  had  everything  ready  for  moving, 
but  not  till  the  bullets  came  zip,  zip,  zip,  over  our  heads 
and  striking  in  the  dirt  around  us.  The  Eighth  and 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  413 

Nineteenth  Corps,  surprised,  are  retreating  in  confusion, 
and  the  rebels,  flushed  with  their  success,  are  pressing 
on.  Men  and  mules  are  shot  while  the  party  are  taking 
down  General  Torbert's  tents  and  putting  them  in  the 
wagons.  The  Sixth  Corps  is  now  marching  up  in  two 
lines  of  battle,  and,  meeting  the  enemy,  check  their 
career  for  a  time. 

"Our  cavalry  are  stretched  across  the  country  in  a 
close  line,  a  little  to  the  rear  of  the  army,  and  ordered 
to  let  no  man  pass  with  a  musket.  The  General  rides 
up  and  down  the  lines,  trying  to  rally  the  infantry,  the 
shells  flying  around  us  uncomfortably  close.  We  are 
obliged  to  fall  back  a  little,  and  hear  that  we  have  lost 
twenty  guns;  so  affairs  begin  to  look  squally.  The  men 
are  building  breastworks  of  rails. 

•  "Presently  some  one  cries  out,  'Here  comes  Little 
Phil !'  Sure  enough  we  see  him  coming  on  the  full  gal 
lop,  with  a  small  escort  behind  him.  He  turns  into  the 
field  where  we  are.  We  drop  our  rails  and  give  him 
three  hearty  cheers,  which  he  returns  by  a  bow  and  a 
smile.  As  he  passed  along,  a  cheer  went  up  from  the 
whole  line.  The  shells  now  began  to  come  so  thick  and 
fast  that  we  had  to  lie  down  on  our  bellies  behind  our 
breastworks,  and  for  about  two  hours  we  hugged  the 
ground  pretty  closely.  We  then  changed  our  position 
to  the  other  side  of  the  road." 

Affairs  now  began  to  look  a  little  brighter.  Stragglers 
and  the  disheartened  took  courage  when  they  saw  Sheri 
dan,  and  swelled  again  the  ranks  of  the  front.  In  the 
afternoon  preparations  were  made  for  a  grand  attack, 
the  cavalry  being  sent  to  the  flanks. 

Everything  being  ready,  towards  night  the  word  is 
given,  and  our  whole  line  advances.     Now  there  is  des 
perate  fighting;  the  foe  is  stubborn  and  strong.     Our 
35* 


414  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

troops  charge  and  break  the  rebel  front.  Our  cavalry 
dash  in  and  make  the  rebel  retreat  a  complete  rout — 
sending  the  "gray  backs"  flying  in  confusion  and  dis 
may.  Right  on  we  spur,  past  the  panic-stricken  rebel 
infantry,  and  are  successful  in  reaching  the  creek  ahead 
of  their  escaping  artillery.  In  their  hurry  to  reach  and 
cross  the  creek  (Cedar)  the  rebels  are  huddled  and  blocked 
up,  and  a  large  number  of  guns  and  caissons  fall  into 
our  hands.  Our  men  rush  across  the  stream  for  more 
guns,  and  recapture  all  we  had  lost  in  the  morning,  with 
about  forty  more,  together  with  hundreds  of  wagons  and 
thousands  of  prisoners;  and  the  pursuit  continues  till  in 
the  night,  as  far  as  Fisher's  Hill. 

Blows  strong  dealing,  ranks  back  reeling, 
Treason  kneeling,  shouts  full  pealing, 
High  the  loyal  standards  float; 
Triumph  swells  the  bugle  note; 
Far  the  ranks  of  traitors  fly; 
Freedom's  song  rings  loud  and  high. 

The  troops  were  now  ordered  back  into  the  camps  they 
had  left  in  the  morning.  On  our  way  we  were  obliged 
to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  to  avoid  stepping  on  the  dead 
bodies.  Kepitching  our  tents,  we  prepared  our  supper, 
not  having  cooked  anything  since  the  day  before.  Within 
a  stone's  throw  around  our  tents  lay  more  than  twenty- 
five  dead  bodies,  most  of  them  belonging  to  the  Thirtieth 
Massachusetts,  this  being  the  neighborhood  where  had 
occurred  the  heaviest  fighting. 

"  In  the  morning  the  rebels  had  it  all  their  own  way; 
in  the  afternoon  the  scales  were  turned.  This  makes 
the  third  grand  victory  for  Sheridan  here  in  the  valley. 
When  the  Confederates  want  to  whip  this  army  they 
will  have  to  get  up  a  little  Early-er  in  the  morning. 
After  such  a  thorough  cleaning  out  as  they  got  this  time, 


1864.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  415 

they  will  not  be  likely  to  trouble  us  any  more  this  win 
ter.  They  probably  acted  upon  the  old  saying,  that 
'the  Early  bird  catches  the  worm';  so  he  did,  and  got 
his  Phil. 

"  October  20th.  Cold,  but  pleasant.  We  go  to  take 
a  view  of  the  dead  by  daylight.  They  lie  just  as  they 
fell,  in  all  positions,  presenting  an  impressive  spectacle. 
Our  killed  and  wounded  were  robbed.  One  of  our 
colonels  was  stripped  of  all  his  clothes  save  his  shirt." 

The  General  and  our  regiment,  with  the  band,  went 
out  on  a  reconnoissance  about  fifteen  miles  over  the 
route  of  the  rebels'  retreat;  and  evidently  they  flew  over 
the  road  in  their  anxiety  to  escape.  Muskets,  knap 
sacks,  haversacks,  canteens,  clothing  of  all  sorts,  and 
material  of  war  were  found  strewn  along  the  path  of 
retreat.  Teams  were  upset  in  their  eagerness  to  elude 
our  sabres.  Some  drivers  had  cut  their  harnesses  and 
fled  on  their  beasts.  At  a  small  stream  three  medical 
wagons  were  overturned  and  the  medicines  were  scattered 
on  the  earth.  We  made  a  halt  between  Strasburg  and 
Woodstock. 

October  21st.  The  different  generals,  by  invitation  of 
Sheridan,  inspected  the  guns  and  other  captured  prop 
erty  parked  in  front  of  Sheridan's  headquarters,  our  band 
furnishing  the  music.  There  were  two  lines — one  of 
guns,  and  one  of  caissons.  Forty  of  the  guns  were  rebel 
pieces;  twenty-four  were  our  own,  recaptured.  In  rear 
of  these  lines  were  hundreds  of  wagons,  containing  all 
sorts  of  quartermaster's  and  commissary's  stores.  The 
greater  part  of  the  spoils  were  captured  by  General  Ous 
ter  and  his  third  division. 

The  prisoners  were  also  near  the  headquarters,  and  a 
motley  looking  crowd  they  were,  dressed  in  all  sorts  of 
uniform, — if  the  word  can  be  here  used — no  two  alike, 


416  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

presenting  every  shade  of  gray  and  butternut  imaginable. 
After  inspection,  a  part  of  them  were  sent  off  to  Wash 
ington  under  guard. 

"As  soon  as  the  officer  in  charge  gave  the  order, 
'  Forward,  march/  the  band  struck  up  '  Yankee  Doodle ' 
for  them  to  march  by.  It  had  been  some  time  since 
they  kept  step  to  that  tune." 

Said  General  Sheridan:  "  This  battle  practically  end 
ed  the  campaign  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  When  it 
opened  we  found  our  enemy  boastful  and  confident, 
unwilling  to  acknowledge  that  the  soldiers  of  the  Union 
were  their  equals  in  courage  and  manliness.  When  it 
closed  with  Cedar  Creek,  this  impression  had  been  re 
moved  from  his  mind,  and  gave  place  to  good  sense  and 
a  strong  desire  to  quit  fighting.  The  very  best  troops  of 
the  Confederacy  had  not  only  been  defeated,  but  had 
been  routed  in  successive  engagements  until  their  spirit 
and  esprit  were  destroyed.  In  obtaining  these  results, 
however,  our  loss  in  officers  and  men  was  severe.  Prac 
tically  all  territory  north  of  the  James  River  now  be 
longed  to  us,  and  the  holding  of  the  lines  about  Peters 
burg  and  Richmond  by  the  enemy  must  have  been 
embarrassing,  and  invited  the  question  of  good  military 
judgment." 

Among  the  noble  dead  killed  in  action  on  our  side 
was  Colonel  Charles  R.  Lowell,  of  the  Second  Massachu 
setts  Cavalry,  commanding  the  cavalry  reserve  brigade;  a 
brave  and  capable  officer,  greatly  beloved  by  all  the  army; 
one  under  whom  we  at  /different  times  had  served,  being 
in  his  brigade,  and  to  whom  we  had  become  strongly 
*  attached.  The  evening  he  died  he  received  his  commis 
sion  as  Brigadier-General  of  Cavalry. 

The  captured  property  came  into  our  custody,  as  the 
subjoined  communications  will  show: 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  417 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  CAVALRY^  DIVISION,  | 
October  21,  1864.      j 

Major    Farrington,    Provost    Marshal,     Cavalry,   Middle    Military 

Division: 

I  have  the  honor  to  forward  to  you  by  Captain  Lee,  Provost 
Marshal  of  this  division,  forty-five  (45)  pieces  of  artillery,  with  a 
large  number  of  caissons,  and  about  one  hundred  wagons,  all 
captured  by  this  division  from  the  enemy  in  the  engagement  of 
the  19th  inst. 

I  am,  Major,  very  respectfully,  etc., 

G.  A.  CUSTER, 
Brigadier-General  Commanding  Third  Division. 


HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  CAVALRY  DIVISION,  ) 
OFFICE  OF  PROVOST  MARSHAL,  October  21,  1864.      j 

1*.  M.  F<irrington,  Provost  Marshal  Headquarters: 

Sir: — I  have  the  honor  to  forward  you,  under  guard,  the  fol 
lowing  property  captured  by  the  first  cavalry  division  in  the 
engagement  of  the  19th  inst.  at  Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  to  wit:  22 
guns  or  pieces  of  artillery,  8  caissons,  28  army  wagons,  34  ambu 
lances,  143  mules,  112  horses,  255  sets  of  harness  incomplete,  349 
prisoners  of  war  (privates),  6  prisoners  of  war  (commissioned 
officers).  Two  of  the  above  army  wagons  were  loaded  with 
small-arms. 

I  have  the  honor  to  state  that,  by  direction  of  the  Brigadier- 
General  commanding  the  first  cavalry  division,  I  destroyed  twelve 
(12)  army  wagons  and  twenty-eight  (28)  muskets  found  on  the 
pike  between  Strasburg  and  Woodstock  on  the  20th  inst.,  and 
also  two  (2)  caissons  and  contents. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS.W.  BEAN, 
Captain  and  Provost  Marshal,  First  Cavalry  Division. 

Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  amount  and  value  of 
property  destroyed  in  the  valley  by  the  subjoined  report 
of  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  first  cavalry  division,  made 
about  two  months  after  the  order  of  destruction  was 
issued.  Two  other  divisions  were  engaged  in  the  same 


418  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

duty,  and  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  this  one  report  is  an 
average  of  what  each  division  accomplished:  that  is,  it 
gives  a  third  of  the  whole  amount. 

Barns,  630,  81,593,000;  mills,  47,  8314,000;  tons  of 
hay,  3445,  8103,607;  bushels  of  wheat,  410,742,  81,025,- 
105;  saw-mills,  4,  88000;  furnaces,  3,  845,000;  woolen 
mills,  1,  810,000;  acres  of  corn,  515,  818,000;  bushels  of 
oats,  750,  8750;  cattle  driven  off,  1347,  830,380;  sheep, 
1231,  86340;  swine,  725,  88000;  barrels  of  flour,  560, 
86720;  tons  of  straw,  255,  82550;  tons  of  fodder,  272, 
82720;  tanneries,  2,  84000;  wagons  loaded  with  flour,  2, 
8500;  railroad  depots,  2,  83000;  locomotives,  1,  810,000; 
box  cars,  3,  81500:  total,  83,193,172. 

In  round  numbers,  we  may  put  the  amount  destroyed 
at  810,000,000. 

Before  leaving  our  mention  of  the  battle  of  Cedar 
Creek,  it  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  quote  a  few  sen 
tences  from  the  report  of  a  rebel  correspondent  in  Early's 
army  to  the  Richmond  Enquirer: 

"Little  I  thought  ten  days  ago,  when  I  was  writing 
about  our  cavalry,  that  one  of  the  greatest,  if  not  the 
greatest,  stampede  of  this  war — and  a  stampede  of  in 
fantry  too — had  yet  to  take  place.  A  whole  day  of 
glory  and  a  few  minutes  of  shame;  a  splendid  begin 
ning,  but  a  monstrous  end. 

"  We  surprised  the  Yankee  camps  at  the  break  of  day 
as  completely  as  a  camp  can  be  surprised.  We  swept 
pickets,  hill-sides,  and  breastworks,  and  formed  our  lines 
within  the  breastworks  and  camps,  with  seven  pieces  of 
artillery  taken,  before  they  could  fire  three  rounds,  and 
a  running  foe  before  us.  All  this  is  very  well;  but  pend 
ing  this  time  another  work  goes  on  that  is  far,  very  far, 
from  being  quite  as  good.  All  our  men  are  so  confident 
that  the  enemy  is  whipped  that  they  only  want  to  secure 


1864.  J  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  419 

their  share  of  the  booty.  But  alas!  war  is  a  game  that 
two  can  play.  The  Yankees  are  not  quite  blind.  They 
bring  up  a  new  line  an  hour  and  a  quarter  before  sun 
down,  and  push  it  to  the  front,  and  our  left  division- 
Gordon's — gives  way. 

"  They  give;  but  that  is  nothing.  The  best  of  men 
must  give  way  sometimes.  But  why  do  n't  they  rally? 
I  say  why  do  n't  they  rally?  For  this  is  our  trouble  and 
misfortune  on  that  ill-fated  19th  of  October.  But  rally 
they  won't.  They  just  slip  back  with  their  muskets 
poised  in  their  hands  as  if  they  were  deploying  back 
wards  as  skirmishers.  The  Yankees  lose  no  time.  Ker- 
shaw's  division  now  was  struck.  It  gives  way  too  in  its 
turn,  after  having  tried  hard  to  stand  its  ground.  There 
was  no  rally  of  a  brigade,  regiment,  or  company.  Talk 
of  our  cavalry's  stampeding!  Here  is  a  set-off  for  them. 
This,  it  is  hoped,  will  close  the  exhibition,  and  we  will 
pass  to  some  new  exercise;  for  this  running  business  is 
growing  stale;  it  won't  pay;  it  has  not  even  the  merit  of 
novelty." 

And  here  we  may  appropriately  introduce  the  famous 
poem  of  "Sheridan's  Ride,"  as  we  were  among  the  act 
ors  in  the  scenes  so  beautifully  and  touchingly  delineated. 


SHERIDAN'S    RIDE. 

BY  THOMAS  BUCHANAN  READ. 

Up  from  the  South  at  break  of  day, 
Bringing  to  Winchester  fresh  dismay, 
The  affrighted  air  with  a  shudder  bore, 
Like  a  herald  in  haste,  to  the  chieftain's  door 
The  terrible  grumble,  and  rumble,  and  roar, 
Telling  the  battle  was  on  once  more, 
And  Sheridan  twenty  miles  away. 


420  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 

And  wider  still  those  billows  of  war 
Thundered  along  the  horizon's  bar; 
And  louder  yet  into  Winchester  rolled 
The  roar  of  that  red  sea  uncontrolled, 
Making  the  blood  of  the  listener  cold, 
As  he  thought  of  the  stake  in  that  fiery  fray. 
And  Sheridan  twenty  miles  away. 

But  there  is  a  road  from  Winchester  town, 

A  good,  broad  highway  leading  down; 

And  there,  through  the  flush  of  the  morning  light, 

A  steed  as  black  as  the  steeds  of  night 

Was  seen  to  pass,  as  with  eagle  flight ; 

As  if  he  knew  the  terrible  need, 

lie  stretched  away  with  his  utmost  speed; 

Hills  rose  and  fell ;  but  his  heart  was  gay, 

With  Sheridan  fifteen  miles  away. 

Still  sprung  from  those  swift  hoofs,  thundering  South, 

The  dust,  like  smoke  from  the  cannon's  mouth, 

Or  the  trail  of  a  comet,  sweeping  faster  and  faster, 

Foreboding  to  traitors  the  doom  of  disaster. 

The  heart  of  the  steed  and  the  heart  of  the  master 

Were  beating  like  prisoners  assaulting  their  walls, 

Impatient  to  be  where  the  battle  field  calls; 

Every  nerve  of  the  charger  was  strained  to  full  play, 

With  Sheridan  only  ten  miles  away. 

Under  his  spurning  feet  the  road 

Like  an  arrowy  Alpine  river  flowed, 

And  the  landscape  sped  awajr  behind, 

Like  an  ocean  flying  before  the  wind; 

And  the  steed,  like  a  bark  fed  with  furnace  ire, 

Swept  on,  with  his  wild  eye  full  of  fire. 

But  lo!  he  is  ncaring  his  heart's  desire; 

He  is  snuffing  the  smoke  of  the  roaring  fray, 

With  Sheridan  only  five  miles  away. 

The  first  that  the  General  saw  were  the  groups 

Of  stragglers,  and  then  the  retreating  troops. 

What  was  done?    What  to  do?    A  glance  told  him  both, 

Then  striking  his  spurs,  with  a  terrible  oath, 


1864]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  421 

He  dashed  down  the  line,  mid  a  storm  of  huzzas, 
And  the  wave  of  retreat  checked  its  course  there,  because 
The  sight  of  the  master  compelled  it  to  pause. 
With  foam  and  with  dust  the  black  charger  was  gray; 
By  the  flash  of  his  eye  and  the  red  nostril's  play, 
He  seemed  to  the  whole  great  arm}-  to  say, 
"  I  have  brought  you  Sheridan  all  the  way 
From  Winchester  down  to  save  the  day." 

Hurrah  !  hurrah  for  Sheridan  ! 
Hurrah  !  hurrah  for  horse  and  man  ! 
And  when  their  statues  are  placed  on  high, 
Under  the  dome  of  the  Union  sky, 
The  American  soldiers'  Temple  of  Fame, 
There,  with  the  glorious  General's  name, 
Be  it  said  in  letters  both  bold  and  bright, 
"  Here  is  the  steed  that  saved  the  day 
By  carrying  Sheridan  into  the  fight, 
From  Winchester — twenty  miles  away!  " 


36 


422  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [October, 


CHAPTER    LV. 

ADJUSTING    OUR    FRONT    FOR    WINTER. 
OCTOBEB— DECEMBER,  1864. 

FTER  the  brilliant  action  of  Cedar  Creek,  little  of 
thrilling  interest  in  the  way  of  lighting  occurred 
in  the  valley  till  February  27,  1865,  when  Sheridan  began 
his  splendid  raid,  moving  out  of  Winchester  on  Iris  war 
path  to  Petersburg.  Reconnoissances,  skirmishes,  the 
cleaning  up  of  northern  Virginia,  the  burning  out  of 
guerrillas,  and  the  camp  scenes  in  winter  quarters  fur 
nish  our  history  for  the  next  three  months. 

October  25th.  Had  a  pleasant  visit  from  our  former 
commander,  now  General  Duffie,  commanding  a  cavalry 
division  in  West  Virginia.  On  the  next  day  he  was 
captured  by  guerrillas,  and  all  sorts  of  rumors  were  afloat 
in  respect  to  him — that  he  was  shot,  and  his  body  muti 
lated;  that  he  was  hung.  The  Richmond  Sentinel,  of 
October  29th,  had: 

"The  capture  of  General  Duffie!     Has  Mosby  hung 

him?     Mosby  has  captured  General  Duffie,  of  the  Federal 

army.     If  he  has  not  already  hung  him,  in  pursuance  of 

the  system  of  'No  quarter '  which  the  enemy  has  adopted 

1  against  him,  let  him  take  Duffie  and  other  select  prison- 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  423 

ers,  and  drive  them  at  the  head  of  his  column  whenever 
he  makes  a  charge.  The  Yankees  would  scarcely  be  so- 
base  as  to  fire  on  their  own  friends;  and  thus  Mosby 
would  be  relieved  from  their  murderous  purposes  against 
himself." 

Another  Richmond  paper,  on  the  General's  arrival  at 
Libby  Prison,  said,  "  General  Duffie  would  be  considered 
a  gentleman  in  any  other  than  Yankee  company."  From 
this  time  till  the  close  of  the  war  the  General  remained 
in  Libby  Prison. 

October  27th.  Major  Turner  and  Captain  Baker, 
with  a  portion  of  the  regiment,  accompanied  General 
Torbert  on  a  tour  of  inspection  of  the  cavalry  of  the 
Middle  Military  Division,  visiting  Martinsburg,  Hagers- 
town,  Williamsport,  Shepardstown,  and  other  places, 
returning  to  headquarters  November  4th. 

November  7th.  Witnessed  the  review  of  the  Nine 
teenth  Army  Corps,  under  General  Emory,  by  General 
Sheridan — a  splendid  sight. 

November  8th.  Election  day  for  President.  In  ac 
cordance  with  orders,  election  was  held  in  the  regiment. 
The  votes  of  our  command,  as  duly  sent  to  the  Secretary 
of  State,  were  as  follows:  Lincoln  and  Johnson,  seventy; 
McClellan  and  Pendleton,  seven:  majority  for  Lincoln, 
sixty-three. 

November  9th.  The  infantry  of  our  army  fall  back 
nearer  to  a  base  of  supplies,  leaving  only  the  cavalry  to 
hold  the  front.  There  being  nothing  in  front  of  us  but 
the  picket  line,  we  have  to  be  ready  for  action  at  a 
moment's  warning.  We  lie  on  the  ground  without  any 
covering,  and  fail  to  secure  sleep;  so  we  are  glad  to 
stand  the  rest  of  the  night  shivering  over  a  fire. 

November  10th.  At  daylight  the  pickets  commenced 
popping  at  each  other.  Falling  back,  the  enemy  fol- 


424  SABRES  A:NTD  SPURS.  [November, 

lowed    us.     We   enter  camp,    about   three   miles  from 
Winchester. 

November  13th.  As  the  rebel  cavalry  made  them 
selves  too  neighborly,  one  division  of  our  cavalry  was 
sent  to  drive  them  off,  which  they  did  after  some  fight 
ing,  bringing  back  as  trophies  two  guns  and  two  hun 
dred  prisoners. 

November  18th.  Major  Turner  having  been  mus 
tered  out  by  expiration  of  term  of  service,  Captain  Baker 
on  the  21st  assumed  command  of  the  regiment.  Orders 
were  received  to  be  ready  to  move  the  next  morning  with 
all  available  men  and  horses. 

November  22d.  The  entire  corps  started  off  on  a 
reconnoissance.  Rained  continually  all  the  afternoon. 
Tired  and  drenched,  arrived  at  Woodstock  at  night, 
having  marched  over  thirty  miles.  Very  cold.  Slept  in 
the  court-house,  the  windows  of  which  had  been  knocked 
out. 

November  23d.  Woke  up  early.  Our  clothes  and 
blankets  frozen  stiff.  Started  off  at  daylight.  Weather 
very  cold.  Had  to  dismount  and  walk,  to  keep  from 
freezing.  Passed  through  Edinburg  and  Mount  Jack 
son.  Two  miles  beyond  the  town  we  find  the  rebels 
holding  an  elevation,  with  six  guns  in  position.  Shells 
began  to  fall,  and  our  skirmish  line  advanced.  The 
rebels  threw  forward  two  heavy  lines  of  infantry.  We 
plant  two  rifled  cannon  on  a  hill  near  us,  and  commence 
shelling.  Says  Sargent:  "  We  strike  up  the  '  Star  Spang 
led  Banner,'  the  guns  playing  bass  and  coming  in  on  the 
explosives.  This,  with  the  cracking  of  carbines  and 
cheering  of  men,  makes  a  lively  scene. 

"The  rebel  cavalry  try  to  flank  us  on  the  right,  but 
our  reserves  are  sent  to  check  them.  While  our  boys  are 
falling  back  they  make  good  use  of  their  seven-shooters. 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  425 

On  the  right  the  firing  is  pretty  animated,  the  rebels 
trying  to  cut  us  off  from  a  bridge.  Some  of  our  regi 
ment  had  to  fight  their  way  across;  others  swam  the 
stream.  The  losses  on  either  side  were  not  heavy.  Hav 
ing  gained  the  information  we  sought,  we  returned. 
This  expedition  made  us  think  of  a  hornet's  nest  on  a 
large  scale:  after  stirring  up  the  insects  we  clear  out, 
from  fear  of  being  stung."  Again  stopped  at  Woodstock. 

November  24th.  Off  at  daylight.  Arrived  at  camp 
in  the  afternoon;  found  turkeys  sent  us  by  the  Philadel- 
phians  for  Thanksgiving.  Noble  Philadelphians! — not 
content  with  feeding  all  the  troops  that  passed  through 
their  city,  but  must  send  food  to  .us  on  the  front.  The 
soldiers  will  ever  remember  them  with  gratitude  and 
honor. 

November  25th.  "Preparations  for  a  Thanksgiving 
dinner;  potatoes,  onions,  hard-tack;  stick  run  through  a 
turkey  and  placed  on  two  stakes  over  a  fire  and  roasted; 
tin  plate,  fork,  and  knife — or  jack-knife;  seated  on  large 
stones  or  sticks  of  wood.  The  attack  is  made  with  great 
success.  Toasts  after  dinner — '  Our  Chief  Magistrate— 
the  longest  Link  on  our  chain  of  Presidents;'  <  Our  Coun 
try — united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock,  never  more  to 
l)e  divorced;'  '  The  Boys  in  Blue— ready  to  pepper  the 
rebs,  take  a  fort  by  a  salt,  or  charge  on  a  sutler,  or  be 
mustered  for  pay.' ' 

November  26th.  More  turkeys  arrive;  these  cooked 
and  stuffed,  from  the  citizens  of  Rhode  Island — a  happy 
reminder  that  we  are  not  forgotten  by  the  dear  ones  at 
home.  Our  blessings  were  on  the  givers. 

So  many  of  our  regiment  were  now  away  as  orderlies 

and  couriers  for  generals,  and  on  special  service,  and  so 

many  had  served  out  their  three  years  and  left  us,  that 

our  available  force  now  together  was  only  about  a  hun- 

36* 


426  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [December, 

dred — scarcely  enough  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  head 
quarters  of  our  corps. 

December  6th.  This  week  the  first  division  of  our 
cavalry  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  and  made  a 
grand  raid  through  the  upper  parts  of  London  and 
Fauquier  Counties — the  chief  haunts  of  Mosby  and  his 
rangers.  Everything  was  laid  waste  in  their  wide  path. 
As  a  result  of  the  raid  there  were  captured  388  horses, 
8  mules,  5520  cattle,  5837  sheep,  1141  swine,  and  prop 
erty  destroyed  to  the  amount  of  82,508,756. 

Those  who  were  Union  citizens  had  to  suffer  with  the 
rest,  for,  as  one  of  these  said,  "  If  you  do  not  burn  my 
grain  the  rebels  will  take  it  when  they  come  this  way, 
and  I  will  help  you."  At  the  same  time  he  lit  a  match 
and  set  fire  to  the  only  stack  of  wheat  he  had,  and  had 
depended  upon  to  feed  his  family,  consisting  of  himself, 
his  wife,  and  eight  small  children.  Such  was  the  price 
paid  for  loyalty  to  our  Government.  It  is,  however,  due 
to  our  Government  to  state  that  this  man,  with  many 
others  who  could  prove  their  loyalty,  received  rations 
from  the  Government,  and  after  the  war  received  pay 
for  the  property  destroyed. 

December  8th.  Major  Farrington,  having  been  re 
lieved  from  duty  as  Provost  Marshal,  assumed  command 
of  the  regiment,  which,  having  been  relieved  at  cavalry 
headquarters  by  the  First  United  States  Cavalry,  returned 
to  duty  with  the  cavalry  reserve  brigade. 

December  12th.  His  term  of  service,  most  faithfully 
performed,  having  expired,  Major  Farrington  was  mus 
tered  out,  greatly  to  our  regret.  And  here  it  is  but  due 
to  him  to  say  that,  had  the  promises  made  to  him  of  his 
promotion,  by  the  Governor,  to  the  grades  above  the  one 
he  held,  been  fulfilled  in  season  so  that  he  could  have 
been  mustered  to  those  grades,  a  commission  as  Brig- 


1864.]  FIRST    RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  427 

adier-General  of  Cavalry  would  have  been  awarded  him 
by  the  War  Department.  For  this  statement  we  have 
the  authority  of  General  Torbert,  who  knew  and  appre 
ciated  the  courage,  ability,  and  experience  of  the  Major. 

December  13th.  About  six  inches  of  snow;  weather 
very  cold.  One  of  our  cavalry  pickets  froze  to  death. 

December  loth.  Captain  Rogers,  having  been  re 
lieved  from  duty  at  division  headquarters,  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  regiment. 

December  16th.  Roaring  of  artillery — a  salute  in 
honor  of  Sherman's  victorious  march  to  the  sea.  All 
loyal  hearts  respond. 

December  17th.  Another  grand  salute,  in  honor  of 
Thomas'  great  victory  in  Tennessee.  Great  cheering  in 
the  different  camps.  The  band  were  ordered  out  with 
their  best  airs.  Music  could  be  heard  in  all  directions. 
"  The  rebel  commander  had  been  knocked  into  a  worsted 
Hood." 

December  19th.  The  cavalry  of  the  army  started  on 
a  raid,  and  pushed  through  Chester  Gap  to  strike  the 
Virginia  Central  Railroad  at  Charlottesville  or  Gordons- 
ville.  An  engagement  occurred,  in  which  we  captured 
two  pieces  of  artillery.  Failing  to  reach  Gordonsville  or 
strike  the  road,  the  force  returned  to  Winchester  via 
Warrant-on. 

In  parting  with  the  officers  and  men  whose  terms  of 
enlistment  had  expired,  we  who  remained  were  made 
sad.  It  was  not  easy  to  grasp  their  hands  and  say 
"  good-by."  Our  moist  eyes  betrayed  our  beating  hearts, 
and  our  throats  grew  thick  from  emotion.  They  had 
served  their  country  faithfully,  and  seemed  like  a  part 
of  our  lives.  Their  scars  testified  to  their  valor.  Major 
Farrington,  by  his  bravery,  coolness,  and  judgment, 
shown  in  so  many  battles  and  hours  of  danger  and  suf- 


428  SABRES  ASTD  SPURS.  [December, 

fering,  had  indissolubly  wedded  himself  to  our  hearts. 
In  Surgeon  W.  H.  Wilbur  and  Assistant  Surgeon  A.  A. 
Mann  we  had  found  kind,  able,  efficient,  patriotic  and 
noble  medical  officers,  whose  attention  to  their  arduous, 
delicate,  responsible  duties  had  saved  many  of  us  when 
wounded  and  sick.  Their  excellent,  honorable  record  is 
better  felt  by  us  than  portrayed  by  our  pens.  In  fact, 
all  our  officers  and  men  were  endeared  to  us  by  a  thou 
sand  ties  of  soldierly  affection  and  regard  that  may  not 
be  described,  and  can  never  be  obliterated. 

The  regiment  being  now  reduced  in  number  to  less 
than  four  full  troops,  for  better  organization  the  follow 
ing  order  was  issued  consolidating  the  eight  troops  into 
a  battalion  of  four  troops: 

HEADQUARTERS,  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION,  ) 
December  21,  1864.      f 
[SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  118.] 

[Extract.] 

6.  The  original  term  of  service  of  the  First  Rhode  Island 
Cavalry  having  expired,  and  those  enlisted  thereto  having  been 
mustered  out  of  service,  the  men  whose  term  has  not  expired  will 
be  formed  into  a  battalion  of  four  (4)  companies,  with  the  follow 
ing  named  officers :  Assistant  Surgeon  Albert  Utter,  Captain  John 
Rogers,  Captain  Allen  Baker,  Jr. ,  Captain  George  N.  Bliss,  Cap 
tain  Willis  C.  Capron,  Lieutenant  Joseph  W.  Dewey,  Lieutenant 
Samuel  C.  Willis,  Jr.,  Lieutenant  John  R.  Umfreville,  Lieutenant 
Andrew  G.  Lorimer,  Lieutenant  James  M.  Fales,  Lieutenant 
Hebron  H.  Steere,  Lieutenant  George  W.  Darling. 
By  command  of 

Major-General  SHERIDAN. 
C.  KINGSBURY,  Jr., 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  regiment  was  therefore  consolidated  as  follows: 
Troops  F  and  G  formed  Troop  A;  Troops  E  and  H 
formed  Troop  B;  Troops  B  and  C  formed  Troop  C; 


1864.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  '       429 

Troops  A  and  D  formed  Troop  D.     And  the  battalion 
was  officered  as  follows: 

Captain  JOHN  ROGERS,  commanding. 
Lieutenant  J.  R.  UMFREVILLE,  Acting  Adjutant. 
Lieutenant  H.  H.  STEERE,  Acting  Quartermaster. 
ALBERT  .UTTER,  Assistant  Surgeon. 

TROOP  A. — Captain,  JOHN  ROGERS;  First  Lieutenant, 
SAMUEL  C.  WILLIS,  Jr.;  Second  Lieutenant,  JAMES  M. 

FALES. 

i 

TROOP  B. — Captain,  ALLEN  BAKER,  Jr.;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  J.  R.  UMFREVILLE;  Second  Lieutenant,  H.  H. 
STEERE.  * 

TROOP  C. — Captain,  GEORGE  N.  BLISS;  First  Lieuten 
ant,  J.  W.  DEWEY;  Second  Lieutenant, . 

TROOP  D.— Captain,  WILLIS  C.  C  APRON;  First  Lieu 
tenant,  *A.  G.  LORIMER;  Second  Lieutenant,  GEORGE 
W.  DARLING. 

The  vacancy  of  Second  Lieutenant,.  Troop  C,  was  sub 
sequently  filled  by  the  promotion  of  Sergeant  William  H. 
Tallman. 

The  following  was  the  strength  of  the  battalion : 

1.  Present.     Officers,  12;   enlisted  men,  188:   total, 
200. 

2.  Absent.     Officers,  7;  enlisted  men,  105:  total,  112. 
Aggregate,  312. 

This  showed  a  loss  since  May  1st,  by  casualties  and 
discharges,  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-one. 

December  27th.  0.  A.  Draper  (Troop  B)  was  taken 
prisoner  while  on  the  raid  to  Gordonsville. 

But  we  must  not  omit  Sargent's  notice  of  Christmas. 
"About  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  we  were  called  to 
Sheridan's  headquarters  to  play.  Savannah  had  gone 


430  SABKES  AND  SPURS.  [January, 

up,  and  we  were  to  aid  in  the  glorification.  The  house 
used  as  headquarters  was  illuminated  from  cellar  to  gar 
ret  with  candles.  After  pumping  wind  till  midnight, 
some  of  the  staff  officers  took  our  band  and  started  on  a 
journey  around  town  to  wake  up  the  secesh.  The  first 
thing  was  a  solo  on  the  kettle  and  bass  drums,  performed 
while  marching  through  the  principal  street,  but  not  so 
low  but  what  the  inhabitants  heard  it.  Festivities  were 
kept  up  till  morning." 

December  29th.  Captain  Baker  received  orders  to  pro 
ceed  to  Rhode  Island  to  make  arrangements  for  recruiting 
the  command.  We  were  now  in  comfortable  quarters  for 
the  winter,  about  three  miles  from  Winchester,  on  the 
left  of  the  Staunton  pike,  having  jonly  light  duties  to 
perform.  And  here  we  saw  the  close  of  1864. 


1865.1  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  431 


CHAPTER    LVI. 

CAMP     NEAR     WINCHESTER. 
JANUARY— FEBRUARY,  1865. 

fANTJARY  1st.  The  winters  in  Virginia  did  not 
differ  appreciably  from  those  near  the  coast  in  New 
England;  they  were  equally  stormy  and  nearly  as  cold, 
particularly  where  we  were.  The  blasts  of  wind  and 
storms  of  snow  and  rain  poured  freely  through  the 
mountains  upon  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Cloth  tents 
and  rude  barracks  made  feeble  resistance  to  the  gales 
and  icy  assaults  of  the  irate  season.  But  our  spirits 
were  warmed  and  comforted  by  the  great  progress  mani 
fest  in  suppressing  the  monstrous  rebellion.  The  "  chiv 
alry"  of  Slavery  was  quailing  before  the  marches  and 
strokes  of  the  "mud-sills"  and  "greasy  mechanics"  of 
Freedom.  Our  sabres  commanded  the  Shenandoah. 

We  can  not  forbear  sketching  a  camp  scene.  Lieuten 
ant  Willis  was  known  to  have,  as  his  servant,  the  most 
pious  negro  in  the  regiment — John  Lockra,  who  led  the 
prayer-meetings  of  the  colored  fraternity,  and  who  was 
considered  as  very  wise  in  expounding  the  Scriptures, 
and  very  gifted  in  the  conduct  of  religious  exercises. 

One  night  we  heard  devotions  going  on  in  Lockra's 


432  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [February, 

tent,  which  was  often  open  for  such  purposes.  The 
hymn,  "I  want  to  go,"  etc.,  was  sung,  when  Lockra 
gave  them  what  he  called  "de  send-off" — a  short  ser 
mon.  Then  followed  "de  bredren,"  singing,  praying, 
or  speaking.  But,  while  one  "good  bruder"  was  pray 
ing,  the  Chaplain's  colored  boy — not  having  the  fear  of 
God  before  his  eyes — came  thundering  into  the  tent, 
whistling  a  medley  of  "Yankee  Doodle"  and  "Dixie." 
The  praying  brother  raised  his  voice  to  be  heard  above 
the  confusion  produced  by  the  Chaplain's  negro,  who 
still  poured  forth  his  profane  notes. 

Lockra  now  interposed  and  said,  "  Stop  dat  ar  prayer; 
stop  de  music,  while  I  tro  dat  ar  scoundrel  of  a  Chap 
lain's  nigger  fru  de  door;"  and  suiting  the  action  to 
his  word,  seized  the  wicked  intruder  by  the  hair,  while 
others  assisted  at  the  extremities,  and,  administering  a 
measure  of  pounding,  pitched  him  unceremoniously  head 
first  from  the  tent.  For  a  moment,  silence  reigned 
supreme,  but  Lockra  resumed,  "Dat  ar  black  thief  of  a 
Chaplain's  nigger  haint  got  no  more  'ligun  nor  a  hoss; 
but  I  reckon  he  won't  'sturb  dis  yer  meetin'  agin  ter- 
night.  Goon,  Bill,  wid  dat  ar  prayer."  So  the  meet 
ing  proceeded,  and  no  more  disturbance  was  expected. 

But  the  worshipers  were  doomed  to  disappointment. 
"Dat  ar  Chaplain's  nigger"  procured  about  forty  car 
tridges,  and,  stealthily  approaching  the  back  of  the  tent, 
threw  them  down  the  chimney.  The  result  was,  when 
the  heat  of  the  ashes  and  coals  penetrated  the  paper — 
which  was  quickly  done — an  explosion  occurred  that 
filled  the  tent  with  smoke,  coals,  and  ashes,  which,  with 
the  noise  and  odor,  caused  a  sudden  exodus  of  "de 
bredren"  through  the  door  and  sides  of  the  tent  in 
search  of  better  air.  In  the  meantime,  "  dat  ar  Chap 
lain's  nigger"  was  making  swift  tracks  through  the 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  433 

woods,  not  stopping  to  whistle  much.  This  scene  greatly 
amused  Lieutenant  Willis,  from  whom  we  have  the  ac 
count  of  it. 

February  1st.  General  Sheridan  reviewed  the  cavalry 
of  his  army  on  the  plains  to  the  north  of  Winchester: 
a  force  mustering  near  twelve  thousand  strong,  under 
brevet  Major-General  Merritt.  The  men  and  horses  of 
the  corps  were  in  excellent  condition,  and  made  a  most 
imposing  appearance.  Our  regiment  was  complimented 
by  the  General,  as  was  also  our  band. 

February  5th.  Sheridan's  scouts,  with  detachments 
from  the  cavalry  regiments,  were  sent  out  to  scour  the 
country  for  guerrillas,  who  were  harassing  our  lines. 
Having  marched  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  in  fifty- 
five  hours,  they  brought  in  as  captives  the  noted  guerrilla 
chief,  Harry  Gilmor,  and  twenty  of  his  associates,  with 
about  a  hundred  horses. 

Notwithstanding  orders  had  been  issued  by  the  War 
Department  that  there  should  be  no  more  recruiting  for 
cavalry,  yet  at  the  special  request  of  General  Sheridan — 
which  was  a  compliment  to  us — an  order  was  issued 
allowing  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry  to  recruit. 
According  to  that  order,  General  Sheridan  detailed  the 
following  named  recruiting  party  to  proceed  to  Rhode 
Island,  and  on  the  14th  of  February  they  left  for  their 
duty:  Captain  Allen  Baker,  Jr.,  First  Sergeant  E.  C. 
Martin,  Sergeant  Adam  Hurdis,  Corporals  G.  F.  Cum- 
mings,  John  A.  Spaulding,  Alfred  Palmer,  and  private 
Thomas  A.  Earl. 

February  SJlst.  Orders  were  received  to  have  all  our 
horses  shod  and  our  arms  and  equipments  in  perfect 
order.  Summoned  to  headquarters,  we  heard  the  Ad 
jutant  read  the  grand  news — "The  capture  of  Charles 
ton,  S.  C."  Says  Sargent:  "When  he  got  through  we 
37 


434  SABRES  AND  SPUES.  [February, 

gave  three  rousing  cheers  with  a  will,  and  shortly  after 
heard  the  same  noise  from  the  other  camps — it  being  an 
official  order,  read  to  every  regiment.  Now  that  the 
nest  where  treason  was  hatched  is  captured,  it  will  prove 
to  be  an  unfortunate  egg  for  J.  Davis  &  Co.  General 
Sherman  showed  Hardee  some  tactics  not  laid  down  in 
his  book.  The  prospect  of  affairs  begins  to  look  bright. 
The  breaking  of  the  rebellion's  back,  which  has  been 
accomplished  so  many  times  on  paper,  will,  by  the  looks 
of  things,  take  place  at  no  distant  day.  The  biggest 
part  of  both  armies  will  be  concentrated  around  Rich 
mond  and  Petersburg,  where  a  grand  death  struggle  will 
occur,  resulting  in  the  caving  in  of  the  so-called  South 
ern  Confederacy,  leaving  it  a  thing  of  the  past." 

Though  in  the  middle  of  winter,  Sheridan  was  now 
ready  to  commence  his  ever  memorable  raid;  and  his 
first  step  was  to  move  up  the  valley,  advancing  on 
Staunton. 

February  27th.  In  the  morning  we  marched  from 
Winchester  up  the  Valley  pike;  in  haversacks,  five  days' 
rations;  in  wagons,  fifteen  days'  rations  of  coffee,  sugar, 
and  salt;  thirty  pounds  of  forage  on  each  horse;  one 
wagon  for  each  division  headquarters;  eight  ambulances 
and  an  ammunition  train;  a  ponton  train  of  eight  boats; 
no  other  wagons  to  accompany  the  command.  This 
looked  like  earnest  work.  The  valley  and  surrounding 
mountains  were  covered  with  snow,  now  dissolving  and 
rendering  the  streams  nigh  impassable;  for  heavy  rains 
had  fallen.  But  we  crossed  Cedar  Creek,  Tumbling 
River,  and  Tom's  Brook,  and  went  into  bivouac  at  Wood 
stock,  having  marched  thirty  miles. 

February  28th.  At  six  in  the  morning  we  were  in 
saddle.  Marched  through  Edinburg;  crossed  the  north 
fork  of  the  Shenandoah  by  ponton;  passed  through  New- 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  435 

market,  and  camped  at  Lacy's  Springs,  nine  miles  north 
of  Harrisonburg,  having  marched  twenty-nine  miles. 

March  1st.  Early  to  horse  and  on  our  way.  Pushed 
through  Harrisonburg  and  Mount  Crawford,  and  biv 
ouacked  at  Kline's  Mills,  on  Middle  River.  On  our  way 
guerrillas  harassed  our  flanks.  At  Mount  Crawford  the 
*  boasting  rebel  General  Rosser  attempted  to  burn  the 
bridge  over  the  middle  fork  of  the  Shenandoah,  but 
failed.  Capeh art's  regiments  swam  the  river  above  the 
bridge  (cool  swimming),  charged  Rosser  and  routed  him 
(warm  work),  driving  him  swiftly  to  Kline's  Mills,  and 
then  pushed  on  almost  to  Staunton,  taking  thirty  pris 
oners  and  twenty  ambulances  and  wagons.  Our  loss  was 
but  five  men  wounded. 

Colonel  Stagg's  brigade,  of  General  Devin's  division, 
destroyed  the  railroad  bridge  over  Christian  Creek,  be 
tween  Staunton  and  Waynesboro.  General  Early,  who 
was  at  Staunton,  learning  of  our  advance  and  heavy 
striking,  retired  to  Waynesboro,  leaving  word  that  in  the 
latter  place  he  should  make  a  stand  and  give  us  battle; 
so  we  entered  Staunton  with  but  little  opposition.  The 
roads,  from  the  pouring  rains  of  preceding  days,  were  in 
a  horrible  condition.  "Horses  and  men  could  scarcely 
be  recognized  for  the  mud  which  covered  them."  We 
were,  however,  prepared  for  the  battle  of  Waynesboro, 
of  which  we  shall  speak  in  the  next  chapter. 


436  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 


CHAPTER    LVII. 

SECOND     BATTLE    OF    WAYNESBORO. 
MARCH,  1865. 

ARCH  2d.  General  Ouster  advanced  upon 
Waynesboro  and  found  Early  in  a  wisely  chosen 
position,  with  two  brigades  of  infantry  shielded  by  breast 
works,  and  his  cavalry  under  his  pet  Rosser.  Ouster — 
ever  ready  and  bold — instantly  moved  to  the  attack, 
sending  three  regiments  round  the  enemy's  flank,  and  in 
person  leading  the  other  two  brigades — partly  mounted 
and  partly  on  foot — smote  and  triumphantly  carried  the 
rebel  front.  Early  was  not  early  enough  for  Ouster. 
The  Eighth  New  York  and  First  Connecticut  Cavalry, 
in  columns  of  four,  charged  clean  over  the  rebel  breast 
works,  and  then  continued  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy 
through  the  town,  sabring  the  foe  as  they  went.  Nor 
did  they  stop  till  they  had  crossed  the  south  fork  of  the 
Shenandoah,  immediately  in  Early's  rear.  Here,  form 
ing  as  foragers,  with  drawn  sabres,  they  held  the  east 
bank  of  the  river.  A  splendid  stroke  for  these  cavaliers. 
Who  can  forget  such  sabres  and  spurs!  Finding  them 
selves  rolled  back  and  surrounded,  the  rebels  threw  down 
their  arms  and  surrendered,  and  even  cheered,  as  brave 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  437 

spirits  might,  for  the  bold  and  brilliant  stroke  by  which 
they  had  been  captured. 

In  this  engagement  on  the  rebel  side  were  Generals 
Early,  Long,  Wharton,  Lilley,  and  Eosser;  but  all  in 
vain  were  their  skill  and  chivalry.  And  by  what  stealth 
they  escaped  capture  remains  a  wonder.  Did  they  prac 
tise  disguise  a  la  Jeff  Davis? 

Colonel  Capeharfs  brigade  continued  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy's  train,  that  now  stretched  away  for  miles- 
over  the  mountains.  The  other  brigades  followed  swift 
ly  in  his  steps,  with  orders  to  bivouac  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Blue  Ridge;  for  the  battle  stroke  had  opened  to 
us  the  passage  through  Rock  Fish  Gap  and  given  us  all 
we  had  hoped  to  obtain. 

In  this  quick  and  dashing  battle  we  captured  eleven 
pieces  of  artillery,  with  horses  and  caissons;  about  two 
hundred  wagons  and  teams  loaded  with  subsistence, 
camp  and  garrison  equipage  and  officers'  baggage;  seven 
teen  battle  flags,  and  sixteen  hundred  officers  and  enlist 
ed  men.  Early's  army  was  disabled.  Now  we  could 
cross  the  Blue  Ridge  by  the  most  favorable  road,  with 
only  the  snow  as  an  obstacle.  Custer's  division  biv 
ouacked  at  Brookfield,  on  the  east  of  the  mountains. 
Devin's  division  remained  for  the  night  at  Waynesboro. 
Sending  out  a  force  to  Swoop's  Depot,  on  the  Lexington 
Railroad,  we  destroyed  a  large  amount  of  rebel  property. 

March  3d.  Our  prisoners  were  sent  back  to  Winches 
ter  under  guard  of  about  seven  hundred  cavalry,  com 
manded  by  our  former  Lieutenant-Colonel,  now  Colonel  J. 
L.  Thompson,  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry.  Our  regi 
ment  was  a  part  of  the  guard,  that  was  made  up  of  seven 
small  regiments.  Yet  quite  a  number  of  our  men  and 
our  band  remained  to  accompany  Sheridan  in  his  on 
ward  dash.  On  our  return  as  guard,  no  forage  was 
37* 


438  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

provided  for  the  horses,  and,  except  a  small  quantity  of 
coffee  and  sugar,  no  rations  for  our  men  and  prisoners. 

On  reaching  Staunton  we  informed  the  citizens  of  the 
state  of  affairs,  and  required  them  to  provide  food  for 
our  prisoners.  They  affirmed  they  had  none,  and  were 
even  themselves  suffering  from  want.  Knowing  there 
were  provisions — flour  and  bacon — in  the  insane  retreat 
for  its  three  hundred  inmates,  we  informed  the  people 
that  we  should  draw  from  these  supplies  unless  they  fur 
nished  us  from  the  stores  which  we  knew  they  had  con 
cealed.  So  flour  and  bacon  were  taken  from  the  asylum, 
upon  which  we  subsisted  our  prisoners  till  we  arrived  at 
Winchester.  But  of  our  march. 

General  Rosser,  collecting  his  scattered  command — 
many  of  which  had  been  furloughed  for  the  winter — or 
dered  a  general  rendezvous  at  Mount  Jackson,  the  point 
where  the  Shenandoah  crosses  the  road.  With  our 
prisoners  we  arrived  at  this  place  about  noon,  March  Gth, 
and  found  the  fords  strongly  held  by  the  enemy.  There 
was  also  a  strong  force  in  our  rear,  which  had  been  harass 
ing  us  night  and  day  since  our  departure  from  Staunton. 
The  river  was  not  fordable  even  for  horsemen,  except  at 
a  single  point,  which  was  too  strongly  held  to  be  forced. 
The  rebels  outnumbered  us,  and  we  were  encumbered  by 
fifteen  hundred  prisoners.  Besides,  we  were  hungry, 
wet  from  the  rains,  and  jaded  from  the  three  days' 
march  on  bad  conditioned  roads.  The  rebels  were  fresh 
from  their  homes.  Our  situation  was  anything  but  flat 
tering.  That  winter  night,  weary,  wet,  and  hungry,  we 
watched,  fearing  that  the  morning  would  find  us  prison 
ers  and  our  prisoners  released. 

March  7th.  In  the  morning  it  was  found  that  the  river 
had  fallen  so  as  to  be  fordable.  The  First  New  Hamp 
shire  Cavalry  were  our  rear-guard.  Colonel  Thompson 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  439 

called  for  the  First  Rhode  Island,  on  whom  he  knew  he 
could  rely,  and  ordered  us  to  charge  the  ford  and  dis 
lodge  the  enemy  in  front.  The  order  was  promptly 
obeyed  and  handsomely  executed.  We  drove  the  rebels, 
and  took  a  number  of  them  prisoners,  opening  the  pas 
sage  across  the  stream.  Meantime,  the  enemy  in  the  rear 
made  several  desperate  charges  upon  our  lines,  but  each 
time  were  repulsed  with  loss,  the  First  New  Hampshire 
bearing  the  brunt  of  the  attacks.  Thus  the  Rhode 
Island  and  New  Hampshire  boys  were  again  one  in  heart 
and  hand,  righting  together,  as  on  so  many  hard-fought 
fields  before,  under  Colonel  Thompson,  equally  beloved 
by  them  and  us.  This  new  battle  was  a  new  bond  be 
tween  us. 

Now  came  the  cold  bath.  The  prisoners  forded  the 
river  in  parties  of  fifties,  each  party  forming  a  body  in 
the  shape  of  a  wedge,  with  the  point  up  the  stream; 
each  man  firmly  holding  his  neighbor  by  the  arm.  The 
stream  was  breast  high  and  running  rapidly;  single  per 
sons  would  have  been  swept  away.  This  kind  of  winter 
bathing  belonged  to  war. 

The  enemy  fled.  This  was  the  last  seen  of  Rosser  and 
his  cavalry,  of  which  he  had  boasted  so  much  when  he 
came  into  the  valley  in  the  preceding  autumn, — "the 
cavalry  to  clean  Phil  Sheridan  up."  We  reached  Win 
chester  without  the  loss  of  a  single  prisoner,  but  had 
added  about  one  hundred  to  the  number. 

On  this  march,  from  the  difficulty  of  foraging,  encum 
bered  with  prisoners  and  assailed  by  the  enemy,  and  the 
scarcity  of  provision  in  the  valley  from  former  army 
strokes,  our  men  suffered  much  from  hunger.  The 
prisoners  suffered  less,  as  the  food  taken  at  Staunton 
was  expressly  for  them,  and  our  men  also  gave  them 
some  of  our  own  when  we  obtained  any — a  striking  con- 


440  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

trast  to  the  treatment  measured  to  our  men  when  cap 
tured  by  the  Confederates. 

For  his  gallant  conduct  in  the  action  at  Mount  Jack 
son  and  his  other  deeds,  Colonel  Thompson  was  breveted 
Brigadier-General:  an  honor  worthily  bestowed,  and  one 
we  were  glad  to  see  him  wear. 


1865.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  441 


CHAPTER    LVIII. 

SHERIDAN'S    RAID. 
MARCH,  1865. 

E  return  to  the  front.  Although  the  larger 
portion  of  our  regiment,  on  account  of  the 
victory  of  Waynesboro,  was  sent  back  as  a  part  of  the 
guard  in  charge  of  prisoners,  a  good  number,  as  orderlies 
to  generals  and  for  special  service,  with  the  band  at  the 
headquarters  of  the  Eegular  brigade,  went  forward  with 
Sheridan  on  his  raid.  One  of  our  men,  Frank  Thurber 
(Troop  C),  was  Sheridan's  orderly.  A  portion  also  of 
the  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry — some  of  the  troops 
formerly  a  part  of  our  regiment — accompanied  the  raid 
ing  force.  We  now  follow  this  part  of  our  regiment. 

The  force  with  which  Sheridan  started  (February  27th) 
from  Winchester  was  about  ten  thousand,  as  follows: 
First  cavalry  division,  General  T.  C.  Devin,  5047,  and 
one  section  of  the  Fourth  United  States  Artillery,  54; 
third  cavalry  division,  General  G.  A.  Ouster,  4840,  and 
one  section  of  United  States  Artillery,  46.  The  Chief 
of  Cavalry  was  Major-General  Wesley  Merritt.  Each 
division  consisted  of  three  brigades. 

In  our  notes  we  shall  largely  follow  Sargent's  journal 


442  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

and  Sheridan's  report.  Sargent  thus  describes  the  gen 
eral  order  of  marching:  "Reveille  would  blow  every 
morning  at  four,  the  head  of  the  column  starting  about 
six.  At  four  in  the  afternoon  the  head  of  the  column 
would  go  into  camp,  the  different  brigades  getting  as 
near  together  as  possible.  Our  position  in  the  column 
would  be  different  every  day — our  division  in  the  advance 
every  other  day.  Our  brigade  would  be  at  the  hjead  of 
the  division  one  day,  at  the  rear  the  next  day,  and  in  the 
centre  the  third  day.  The  regiments  would  also  change 
positions  in  the  brigade,  moving  up  one  ahead  every  day. 
Take  a  regiment  in  the  rear  of  the  column:  the  next  day 
it  would  be  the  next  to  the  rear  in  the  brigade — the 
brigade  in  the  centre  of  the  advance  division;  next  day, 
the  third  in  the  brigade — the  brigade  in  the  advance  of 
the  rear  division;  and  so  on  till  finally  the  regiment 
came  to  the  van  of  the  column." 

March  3d.  The  advance  division  (General  Ouster's), 
now  through  Rock  Fish  Gap,  at  Brookfield,  moved  on 
towards  Charlottesville.  General  Devin,  leaving  Gibbs' 
brigade  to  destroy  the  iron  bridge  over  the  Shenandoah 
and  burn  and  destroy  captured  wagons  and  contents, 
pressed  through  the  mountains  after  the  advance  divis 
ion,  which,  by  Ouster's  order,  on  its  march,  at  Green 
wood  Depot  and  Ivy  Station,  destroyed  much  rebel 
subsistence  and  the  railroad  and  large  bridge  over  Me 
chanic's  River,  and  reached  Oharlottesville  at  four  o'clock 
P.  M.  The  city  could  make  no  resistance,  and  its  officers 
surrendered  the  keys  of  the  public  buildings. 

As  the  roads  from  Waynesboro  to  this  place,  from 
incessant  rains  and  thaws,  were  terribly  cut  and  deep 
with  mud,  we  halted  here  for  two  days,  to  rest  and  allow 
General  Gibbs  to  come  up  with  our  train.  Meanwhile, 
parties  were  sent  out  towards  Gordonsville  and  Lynch- 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  443 

"burg  to  break  the  railroad,  preventing  troops  from  being 
massed  on  us.  We  also  demolished  large  iron  bridges 
over  the  north  and  south  forks  of  the  Rivanna  River,  and 
left  no  railroad  tracks  or  Confederate  property  in  our  rear. 

Let  Sargent  speak  of  the  march  over  the  mountains 
through  Rock  Fish  Gap:  "  It  was  dark  as  Egypt,  and 
the  rain  falling.  The  road  was  perfectly  awful,  full  of 
large  rocks  and  deep  gullies,  in  some  places  just  wide 
enough  for  a  team  to  pass,  while  at  our, side  would  be  a 
steep  precipice  to  make  one  shudder.  With  the  wind 
strong  and  cold,  I  was  wet  and  chilled  through,  my 
hands  so  numb  that  there  was  no  feeling  in  them.  I 
never  before  suffered  so  much  in  one  night.  About 
midnight  we  got  to  the  level  country,  but  it  rained  like 
Jehu  all  night." 

At  Charlottesville  the  negroes  exclaimed :  "  Lor'  bress 
ye!  I'se  neber  so  glad  in  all  my  life.  I  knowed  ye'd 
cum  sum  time  nudder.  I'se  prayed  an'  prayed  fur  yer, 
an'  now  yees  got  here.  Glory  ter  God  ! "  One  colored 
woman  produced  some  biscuits,  "  which  we  ate  with 
some  sorghum — going  right  to  the  spot." 

March  6th.  We  resumed  our  march.  Negroes  ac 
companied  us,  old  and  young,  male  and  female,  trudging 
through  mud  and  water,  animated  with  the  thought  of 
freedom.  The  two  divisions  took  different  routes — one 
towards  Lynchburg,  going  within  sixteen  miles  of  the 
city,  and  burning  several  bridges;  the  other  marched  to 
Scottville,  with  orders  to  move  along  the  James  River 
canal  and  destroy  every  lock  as  far  as  Newmarket. 

March  7th.  Roads  rough  and  mountainous.  Passed 
through  Lexington  Court  House. 

March  8th.  Sent  a  brigade  to  Buffalo  Creek  to  burn 
a  bridge;  reached  Newmarket  after  dark.  ^  Rainy  after 
noon  and  night.  Both  divisions  again  together. 


444    .  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

The  rain  and  mud  still  impeded  us,  and  the  com 
mand — particularly  the  transportation — was  much  worn 
and  fatigued.  However,  by  replacing  our  worn-out 
mules  by  those  captured  from  Early,  we  reached  Colum 
bia  on  the  evening  of  March  10th.  Here  we  were  re 
joined  by  Colonel  Fitzhugh's  brigade,  which  had  de 
stroyed  the  canal  for  eight  miles  east  of  Goochland — a 
heavy  blow  to  Lee's  army. 

Our  train  of  negroes  now  numbered  thousands,  and 
was  constantly  increasing.  Moving  by  the  side  of  the 
column,  they  talked,  laughed,  and  asked  questions,  often 
travelling  with  us  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  a  day, 
through  mud  and  water,  fording  streams,  and  at  night 
huddling  around  camp  fires. 

March  llth.  Stopped  at  Columbia  all  day.  Drew 
five  days'  rations  of  coffee  and  sugar,  the  first  Govern 
ment  food  we  had  drawn  since  leaving  Winchester. 

March  12th.  Marched  early.  Struck  the  Virginia 
Central  Railroad  about  noon  at  Frederickshall  Station, 
entering  the  place  so  suddenly  that  the  postmaster  and 
telegraph  operator  fled,  leaving  their  letters,  papers,  and 
despatches — some  of  them  of  red-hot  language — "no 
subjugation,"  "fight  to  the  last  ditch";  others  more 
calm — "fearing  for  the  cause." 

Our  troops  were  kept  busy,  tearing  up  rails,  twisting 
them  over  burning  ties,  and  demolishing  water  tanks  and 
bridges.  One  division  destroyed  the  track  towards  Rich 
mond  as  far  as  Beaver  Dam;  the  other  division  did  the 
same  from  Louisa  Court  House  to  Frederickshall. 

Learning  from  scouts  that  the  enemy  was  massing 
forces  to  cut  us  off,  Sheridan  played  a  ruse  by  moving 
towards  Richmond,  and  compelling  the  assailants  to  meet 
us  at  Ashland. 

March  13th.     Leffc   Frederickshall  in  the  afternoon; 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  445 

towards  evening  had  a  little  skirmish.  Eeached  Beaver 
Dam. 

March  14th.  Dashed  within  seventeen  miles  of  Rich- 
mond;  some  of  the  troops  reached  within  eleven  miles, 
where  they  burned  a  train  of  wagons. 

March  15th.  Reveille  at  one  in  the  morning.  Re 
ports  that  ten  thousand  infantry  and  Fitz  Lee's  cavalry 
are  near  and  endeavoring  to  cut  us  off.  In  the  forenoon 
halted  near  Ashland.  Troops  drawn  in  line  of  battle; 
skirmishing  commenced,  and  continued  at  intervals. 
Our  ruse  being  a  success,  preventing  the  foe  from  cut 
ting  off  our  line,  we  withdrew,  leaving  our  skirmishers 
engaged  for  a  time.  While  our  feint  was  going  on, 
Merritt,  with  Devin's  division,  destroyed  the  Korth  and 
South  Anna  and  Little  River  bridges.  "In  the  attack 
upon  the  South  Anna  railroad  bridge  the  Fifth  United 
States  Cavalry  charged  up  to  the  bridge,  dismounted, 
dashed  across  it,  and  drove  the  rebel  artillery  defending 
it,  turning  upon  them  their  own  guns — four  twenty 
pounder  Parrotts." 

March  16th.     Reached  Mangohick  Church.    . 

March  17th.  Marched  all  day;  camped  at  night  near 
Prince  William  Court  House;  food  scarce. 

March  18th.  Reached  Indiantown;  nothing  to  eat 
during  the  day;  pounded  corn,  soaked  it,  and  boiled  it 
for  breakfast. 

March  10th.  Commenced  early  to  cross  the  Pamun- 
key,  dismounted,  on  a  long,  rickety  bridge,  two  abreast. 
Reached  White  House,  and  camped  half  a  mile  from  the 
landing.  Happy  to  reach  this  point,  as  we  were  nigh 
exhausted.  In  twenty-one  days  from  Winchester,  had 
travelled  about  five  hundred  miles,  for  fifteen  days  liv 
ing  on  the  country;  three  or  four  hours  of  sleep  a  day. 
The  guard  had  to  wake  the  orderlies,  and  the  orderlies 


446  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

had  to  shake  and  roll  their  men  to  wake  them.  We 
always  marched  by  fours,  and  the  length  of  the  column, 
with  train  and  wagons,  would  stretch  eight  or  ten  miles. 
Lost  a  large  number  of  horses  from  sore  backs  and  hoof- 
rot.  About  eight  hundred  men,  losing  their  horses,  had 
to  play  infantry.  At  White  House  we  found  supplies 
in  abundance,  and  a  brigade  of  infantry  to  guard  them, 
sent  by  General  Grant. 

Says'  Sheridan,  "There  perhaps  never  was  a  march 
where  nature  offered  such  impediments  and  shrouded 
herself  in  such  gloom.  Incessant  rain,  deep  and  almost 
impassable  streams,  swamps,  and  mud,  all  overcome 
with  constant  cheerfulness  on  the  part  of  the  troops. 
Officers  and  men  were  buoyed  up  by  the  thought  that 
we  had  completed  our  work  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
and  were  on  our  wray  to  help  our  brothers  in  arms,  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  in  the  final  struggle." 

The  amount  of  rebel  property  and  the  lines  of  rebel 
communication  and  supplies  destroyed  were  beyond  esti 
mation.  Every  bridge  on  the  central  railroad  between 
Richmond  and  Lynchburg,  save  one  on  the  Chickahom- 
iny  and  one  over  the  James  at  Lynchburg,  were  destroy 
ed,  with  many  of  the  culverts.  The  James  River  canal 
was  disabled  beyond  immediate  repair.  The  captures 
had  been  as  follows:  Prisoners  of  war,  1G03;  horses  and 
mules,  2154;  battle  flags,  1C;  pieces  of  artillery,  17;  small 
arms,  2010.  Captured  between  August  1,  1864,  and 
March  1,  1865:  Prisoners,  13,000;  artillery  pieces,  101; 
artillery  recaptured,  24;  battle  flags,  49.  Our  losses  were: 
Killed,  1938;  wounded,  11,893;  missing,  3121.  Our  loss 
from  Winchester  to  White  House  "  did  not  exceed  one 
hundred  men,  and  some  of  these  we  left  by  the  wayside, 
unable  to  bear  the  fatigues  of  the  march."  The  host  of 
negroes  that  came  into  our  lines  with  us  were  sent  on 
steamers  to  Washington. 


18C5.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  447 


CHAPTER    LIX. 

CAPTIVITY    OF    R.     F.     ELDRIDGE. 
MARCH— APRIL,  1865. 

kERMAN  P.  Thurber  and  myself,  on  detached 
service  at  headquarters,  cavalry  reserve  brigade 
(Brigadier-General  Gibbs  commanding),  about  three  in 
the  afternoon  of  March  12th,  were  sent  out  to  forage, 
near  Frederickshall  Station.  It  was  a  rule  while  on  our 
march  for  a  certain  number  to  "leave  the  line  to  forage 
for  a  certain  number,  and  when  they  returned  another 
squad  would  go  out  for  the  same  purpose.  We  went  to 
a  house  near  the  column,  and  found  dry  picking.  We 
then  saw  a  house  on  a  hill  in  sight  of  the  column,  and, 
having  good  horses  and  arms,  ventured  to  it,  hitching 
our  horses,  and  cautiously  entering.  Asking  a  middle- 
aged  lady,  who  seemed  to  be  a  paralytic,  if  she  had  any 
flour  or  meat,  she,  after  certain  questions,  told  us  where 
we  could  find  some. 

"  Going  up  stairs,  we  found  seven  unbroken  barrels  of 
flour,  and  soon  filling  our  bags  and  taking  each  a  piece 
of  bacon,  came  down  and  were  ^ibout  to  mount  to  our 
saddles,  when,  to  our  surprise,  fourteen  horsemen  ap 
peared  and  demanded  our  surrender.  A  part  of  them 
belonged  to  the  Ninth  Virginia  Cavalry,  and  a  part  were 


448  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 

guerrillas.  When  asked  who  they  were,  one  said,  '  Get 
on  to  those  horses  d — d  quick,  and  we  will  show  you 
who  we  are.'  We  could  only  obey.  To  my  inquiry 
what  he  was  going  to  do  with  us,  the  officer  replied, 
'  We  are  going  to  kill  you,'  but  the  twinkle  of  his  eye 
belied  his  words.  We  were  asked  where  Sheridan  was 
going,  but  about  that  time  we  belonged  to  the  Know 
Nothing  fraternity. 

"They  stopped  at  a  house  and  gave  us  some  refresh 
ments.  We  then  went  on  a  few  miles  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night,  with  a  strong  guard  over  us.  The  next 
morning  our  horses  were  taken  from  us,  and  all  the 
guard  left  us,  save  a  Lieutenant  and  two  men.  They 
Avere  mounted,  but  we  took  the  foot  train.  Yet  we  were 
in  good  hands.  The  name  of  the  Lieutenant  was  Willis 
Gooch,  who  said  he  would  take  us  to  a  Lieutenant 
Vaughan,  a  paroling  officer,  four  miles  further  on,  to 
be  paroled.  Arriving  at  Vaughan's,  Lieutenant  Gooch 
said,  '  The  best  I  can  do  for  you  is  to  take  you  to  my 
house  to-night,  and  then  take  you  to  Gordonsville  and 
send  you  to  Richmond.'  Before  reaching  Gooch's  house 
he  said,  '  Don't  mind  if  my  father  talks  harsh.'  At  the 
house  the  old  man  made  his  appearance,  swearing,  and 
asking,  '  Why  don't  yon  shoot  the  d — d  Yanks,  instead 
of  bringing  them  here  ? '  The  Lieutenant  said,  '  These 
are  soldiers,  and  I  am  one  myself,  and  I  know  how  I 
would  like  to  be  treated.' 

"We  were  put  into  a  cosy  room  to  wait  for  supper. 
An  old  gray-headed  negro  put  his  head  through  the 
door.  Gooch  asked  him,  l  Do  you  see  the  Yanks?' 
Old  Joe  answered,  l  Yas,  Massa,  I  see  de  Yanks,  but  I 
don't  see  no  horns.'  We  had  a  good  supper,  and  were 
well  used  by  Mrs.  Gooch,  mother  of  the  Lieutenant, 
and  had  a  good  bed.  Up  at  six  in  the  morning  and  had 


1865.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND   CAVALEY.  449 

breakfast,  and  made  ready  to  go  to  Gordonsville.  Mrs. 
Gooch  did  up  a  bundle  of  bread  and  butter  and  ham, 
and  said,  'Take  that;  it  will  last  you  all  day.  I  have 
three  sons  in  the  Confederate  army,  and  if  you  ever  take 
them  prisoners,  use  them  well  for  my  sake.'  We  never 
forgot  her. 

"We  were  taken  to  Gordonsville  and  kept  five  days; 
then  taken  to  Eichmond  and  put  into  Libby  Prison, 
where  we  remained  until  preparations  were  made  to 
evacuate  Richmond,  when  we  were  taken  by  steamer  to 
Aiken's  Landing  and  put  aboard  our  steamer — the  old 
Canonicus,  of  Rhode  Island.  The  rebels  were  in  such  a 
hurry  that  they  did  not  stop  to  parole  us.  We  were  car 
ried  to  College  Green  Barracks,  and  from  thence  to 
Parole  Camp,  Annapolis.  After  receiving  a  furlough  I 
reported  to  my  regiment." 


38* 


450  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [March, 


CHAPTER    LX. 

FALL    OF    RICHMOND. 
MARCH— APRIL,  1865. 

ARCH  24th.  Advancing;  reached  the  Chicka- 
hominy. 

March  25th.  Crossed  the  river  on  pontons;  passed 
through  Charles  City  Court  House;  bivouacked  near 
Harrison's  Landing. 

March  26th.  Hastened  on  all  day;  crossed  the  James 
on  pontons  at  Jones'  Landing,  and  camped  near  the 
river. 

March  27th.  Crossed  the  Appomattox;  entered  Grant's 
lines.  Passing  the  front,  his  army,  knowing  our  exploits, 
turned  out  to  cheer  us.  We  inquired  if  they  had  seen 
anything  of  Early.  Caught  a  peep  at  Petersburg,  and 
camped  in  front  of  it,  near  Hancock  Station. 

March  29th.  Grand  movement  on  foot.  With  the 
armies  moved  out  at  six  in  the  morning;  marched  around 
the  left  of  Grant's  lines;  passed  Reams'  Station;  saw 
skulls  of  the  dead  lying  in  the  road;  crossed  Hatcher's 
Run;  camped  near  Dinwiddie  Court  House.  At  Malon's 
crossing  we  constructed  a  bridge,  and  there  encountered 
rebel  pickets,  capturing  a  few,  and  at  Dinwiddie  pushed 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  451 

back  the  rebel  picket  line.  Were  obliged  to  corduroy 
the  horrible  roads.  We  were  charged  with  the  duty 
of  aiding  in  turning  the  right  flank  of  Lee's  army. 

April  1st.  Cannonading  in  front;  infantry  hurried 
up;  we  were  off  on  the  double-quick;  near  the  front 
found  musketry  rattling.  Our  division  was  sent  to  the 
extreme  left,  through  woods  and  fields,  over  fences  and 
ditches,  and  formed  in  brigades  in  a  cleared  field  at  the 
edge  of  woods,  slightly  protected  by  an  elevation,  while 
the  shells  were  coming  thick  and  fast,  knocking  off 
limbs  and  felling  small  trees.  The  infantry  at  our  right 
were  in  action.  We  had  orders  to  charge.  Imagine  the 
work  of  breasting  thousands  of  blazing  muskets.  The 
men  unsling  their  carbines,  and,  resting  the  butts  on 
their  hips,  charge  in  solid  ranks,  spreading  out  to  the 
right  and  left  as  they  advance.  A  band  in  our  division 
strikes  up  "  Yankee  Doodle,"  putting  new  life  into  our 
men,  who  go  with  a  shout.  The  rebels  are  posted 
behind  fences  and  hastily  constructed  breastworks  of 
rails.  We  give  them  the  contents  of  our  seven-shooters 
and  resume  our  position.  Again  we  are  ordered  to 
charge,  this  time  with  sabres.  Meanwhile,  part  of  the 
cavalry  were  sent  to  the  right  and  rear  of  the  rebels  to 
cut  them  off  in  case  we  were  successful. 

When  the  infantry  were  ready  we  charged  simulta 
neously,  having  by  our  previous  charge  learned  the  lay 
of  the  land  and  how  to  strike.  Now  work  was  done. 
Talk  of  lively  and  exciting  scenes — two  such  forces  com 
ing  together  with  a  welding  heat  and  stunning  blows. 
The  rebel  lines  begin  to  waver,  and  soon  the  enemy  is 
in  full  retreat.  The  rest  of  our  cavalry  follow  quickly 
with  us,  capturing  guns,  colors,  and  men.  It  was  a 
short  and  sharp  engagement,  both  sides  losing  heavily. 
But  ours  were  the  honors  of  Five  Forks.  That  night 


452  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [April, 

we  bivouacked  in  a  forest  and  guarded  the  prisoners,  be 
longing  mostly  to  North  Carolina  regiments. 

This  action  determined  the  fate  of  Petersburg  and  of 
Richmond.  Lee,  instead  of  breaking  the  grasp  of  our 
army,  as  he  had  hoped,  was  himself  fatally  broken. 

April  2d.  Petersburg  evacuated !  Lee  is  endeavoring 
to  escape  with  his  army.  Richmond  is  abandoned!  Jeff 
Davis  and  his  junto  and  the  chivalry  of  the  Confederate 
capital  betake  themselves  to  flight.  Times  are  ripening. 
We  dash  on  to  cut  off  Lee.  In  the  afternoon  we  struck 
the  Southside  Railroad. 

April  3d.  Federal  troops  enter  Richmond  to  find  it 
set  on  fire  by  the  flying  rebels,  instead  of  being  their 
"last  ditch."  We  come  up  with  the  enemy  this  after 
noon,  but  they  keep  falling  back,  continually  skirmish 
ing  till  after  dark.  We  halt  in  an  open  field,  separated 
from  the  enemy  by  a  ribbon  of  woods,  the  skirmishers  of 
both  armies  being  in  the  edge,  popping  at  each  other  all 
night,  with  occasional  charges  to  get  possession  of  the 
woods.  We  sleep  on  our  arms. 

April  4th.  Up  early;  our  brigade  has  the  advance  of 
the  corps.  Found  the  enemy's  ground  abandoned;  they 
left  about  midnight.  About  two  miles  on  we  are  fired 
upon  from  a  thicket  beyond  a  small  stream.  Forming 
in  squadrons,  while  a  small  party  makes  a  reconnois- 
sance,  we  are  saluted  with  shell.  Our  artillery  coming' 
up,  we  skirmish  for  about  an  hour,  when  the  rebels 
again  retreat.  We  ford  the  stream  and  follow  them  on 
the  double-quick.  It  was  the  rear  of  Lee's  force  trying 
to  detain  us  to  win  time  for  their  trains  and  infantry  to 
get  off.  A  flank  movement  on  our  part  put  them  to 
flight.  Our  brigade  followed  them,  and,  striking  them 
in  front  and  flank,  sent  them  whirling  on,  leaving  their 
dead  and  wounded  and  many  prisoners  in  our  hands. 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.        .  453 

They  finally  left  in  the  road  a  caisson  filled  with  shell 
and  set  on  fire  to  check  our  progress.  Pieces  of  shells 
flew  close  to  our  heads.  But  we  passed  the  caisson  and 
pressed  on.  They  made  another  stand,  but  soon  broke 
in  confusion,  and  the  greater  part  of  them  we  captured, 
only  those  having  good  horses  escaping.  As  we  were 
now  six  miles  in  advance  of  our  army,  we  halted  fora 
time,  then  returned,  carrying  two  hundred  rebel  cavalry 
men  prisoners. 

After  a  few  hours'  rest,  finding  the  direction  Lee's 
army  had  taken,  we  dashed  on  again.  This  was  the 
most  exciting  race  we  ever  had,  chasing  the  invincible 
rebels  for  about  twelve  miles,  through  mud  and  water, 
up  hill  and  down,  across  meadows  and  brooks,  through 
plantations  and  villages.  They  could  not  find  the  'Mast 
ditch." 

April  5th.  Our  brigade  was  sent  off  on  an  expedition 
by  itself.  Halted  a  little  at  Amelia  Court  House. 
Learned  that  Lee,  Longstreet,  Ewell  and  others  held  a 
consultation  the  previous  night  in  a  room  over  the  depot. 
Part  of  their  army  left  here  this  morning.  On  the  road, 
in  the  afternoon,  we  picked  up  a  number  of  exhausted 
rebels.  Striking  across  the  country  towards  night,  we 
joined  our  division,  and  found  that  during  the  day  they 
had  a  big  fight,  capturing  thirty-three  battle  flags,  seven 
general  officer*,  and  thousands  of  prisoners. 

April  6th.  Off  again  in  the  morning,  passing  the 
long  line  of  prisoners  preparing  to  move  to  the  rear.  At 
Custer's  headquarters  floated  the  captured  battle  flags. 
These  were  war  times,  and  our  patriotic  spirits  were  up. 
The  prisoners*  seemed  half  starved,  having  had,  as  they 
said,  nothing  to  eat  for  two  days.  As  we  marched  by, 
we  tossed  them  hard-tack,  for  which  they  pushed  and 
scrabbled  like  desperate  men.  Finding  the  enemy  be- 


454  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [April, 

hind  breastworks  of  earth  and  rails,  we  had  a  short  fight, 
and  again  routed  them.  Through  this  and  the  follow 
ing  day  there  was  fighting  nearly  all  the  time.  The 
retreating  rebels,  when  closely  pressed,  would  turn  and 
give  battle,  while  the  rest  hurried  on  to  build  new  breast 
works  for  a  new  stand;  but  all  their  works  were  succes 
sively  carried.  They  retreated  so  rapidly  that  they  left 
their  dead  and  wounded  behind.  Strange  scenes.  Dead 
men  became  so  common  as  hardly  to  attract  attention.. 
They  lay  scattered  singly  and  in  groups  behind  the  piles 
of  rails  used  as  a  protection. 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  455 


CHAPTER    LXI. 

SURRENDER    OF    LEE. 
APRIL,  1865. 

PRIL  8th.  Leaving  the  infantry,  we  struck  off  on 
another  road.  About  four  in  the  afternoon,  pass 
ing  Prospect  Station,  we  reached  Appomattox  Depot, 
having  marched  twenty-eight  miles.  We  here  found 
that  Ouster  had  captured  four  trains  of  cars  loaded  with 
supplies  for  Lee's  army.  Shells  flew  over  our  heads. 
We  crossed  the  track,  ascended  the  hill,  and  formed  in 
an  open  field,  with  a  small  belt  of  woods  separating  us 
from  a  rebel  battery,  that  was  dealing  to  us  grape  and 
canister,  rattling  through  the  trees  like  hailstones.  We 
could  see  the  flash  from  every  gun.  Our  brigade  was 
ordered  to  advance  through  the  wood — a  very  difficult 
task.  The  men  lost  their  caps,  tore  their  clothes,  and 
scratched  their  faces.  At  the  order  to  charge,  the  men 
•dashed  off  with  a  shout  and  uplifted  sabres,  and  soon  the 
battery  was  ours — the  Washington  Artillery,  of  New 
Orleans,  said  to  be  the  best  in  the  Confederate  service. 
The  other  brigades  were  not  idle.  Our  division,  that 
afternoon  and  night,  captured  between  thirty  and  forty 
pieces  of  artillery,  over  two  hundred  wagons,  three  trains 


456  SABUES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

of  cars,  all  loaded,  and  a  great  number  of  prisoners. 
Our  brigade  lost  heavily  in  men  and  horses.  But  Lee 
and  his  army  of  Northern  Virginia — the  head  and  spinal 
column  of  the  Confederacy — were  now  almost  in  our 
grasp.  So  we  forgot  our  sufferings. 

April  9th.  In  saddles  at  daylight;  waited  two  hours 
for  orders.  The  rebels  commenced  the  attack.  Very 
•early  the  colored  division  of  the  Twenty-Fourth  Corps 
passed  down  the  road,  followed  by  white  troops,  having 
travelled  all  night.  As  they  passed  we  cheered  them, 
and  added,  "Give  it  to  them.  We've  got  them  in  a 
tight  place.  Show  them  what  the  colored  soldiers  can 
do.  Remember  Fort  Pillow."  They  answered  with 
shouts  and  waving  of  caps. 

The  firing  became  nearer.  A  portion  of  our  line  fell 
back  a  little.  The  infantry  were  hurried  ahead  on  the 
double-quick,  and  were  soon  engaged.  The  whole  cav 
alry  corps  was  sent  to  the  right  flank,  where  we  were 
kept  moving  from  one  position  to  another  all  the  fore 
noon.  About  noon  our  division  was  formed  ready  to 
charge,  when,  lo!  a  flag  of  truce  was  seen.  It  came  in 
among  the  sabres  and  spurs,  to  our  gallant  General  Cus- 
ter.  The  firing  ceased.  War  paused.  Pregnant  mo 
ment.  General  Grant  was  sent  for.  Lee  came  into  our 
lines.  Grant  and  Lee  met  at  the  small  house  of  Mr. 
McLean,  in  the  village  of  Appomattox  Court  House, 
within  rifle  shot  of  our  division.  There  Lee  surrendered 
his  sword.  How  we  looked  on  that  scene!  How  unut 
terably  we  felt.  Yes,  sabres  and  spurs  of  the  First 
Rhode  Island  Cavalry  were  permitted  to  aid  and  exult 
in  the  event.  The  head  of  the  Confederacy  was  bowed 
in  defeat. 

About  four  in  the  afternoon  the  news  of  the  surrender 
was  heralded  through  the  army.  Salutes  were  fired. 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  457 

Bands  played.  Standards  waved.  Shouts  swelled  to 
the  heavens.  Such  cheering  was  never  before  heard  on 
this  continent.  The  soldiers  could  not  sufficiently  utter 
their  feelings.  Their  joy  was  unbounded.  The  object 
for  which  we  had  been  fighting  four  years  was  sub 
stantially  achieved.  The  men  long  continued  cheering 
and  shouting,  shouting  and  cheering. 

On  Grant's  bright  sword  the  law  was  found; 

The  knees  of  Lee  salute  the  ground. 

Historic  act!  historic  spot! 

Let  patriot  hearts  forget  it  not : 

As  humble  captives  on  that  field 

Full  five  and  twenty  thousand  kneeled. 

City  to  city  the  victory  tells; 
Streaming  of  banners  and  ringing  of  bells; 
Booming  of  cannon  and  lighting  of  fires; 
Singing  of  mothers  and  cheering  of  sires; 
Soldiers  in  hospitals  shout  mid  their  pains; 
Suffering  prisoners  leap  in  their  chains ; 
Liberty  shouts  from  our  Capitol  dome, 
Answered  by  anthems  from  every  home. 

Says  Sheridan:  "The  first  and  second  cavalry  divis 
ions,  which  belonged  to  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah, 
had  marched  in  midwinter  over  three  hundred  miles,  in 
constant  rains,  over  almost  impassable  roads  and  swollen 
streams,  to  participate  in  the  campaign,  and  were  re 
warded  by  the  honor  of  having  the  flag  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia  presented  to  them  on  the  morning  of 
the  surrender." 

AVe  continued  with  Sheridan,  who  pushed  on  after  the 
remnant  of  the  rebel  army  under  Johnston. 

April  10th.  Left  Appomatox  for  Petersburg.  Camped 
at  Prospect  Station. 

April  llth.     Reached  near  Burkesville. 
39 


458  SABRES  AND  SPURS.  [April, 

April  13th.  Reached  Nottoway  Court  House,  where 
we  had  orders  to  prepare  to  move  down  to  the  assistance 
of  Sherman  in  North  Carolina. 

April  24th.  Left  Petersburg  by  the  Boydton  plank- 
road,  via  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  Boydton,  and  Abbe 
ville,  and  reached  South  Boston  on  the  28th;  our  march 
ing  averaging  twenty-five  miles  a  day.  Here  we  learned 
that  Johnston  had  surrendered  to  Sherman.  Again  the 
shouts  went  up.  Turned  back. 

May  3d.  Reached  Petersburg  and  passed  through  in 
platoons,  with  drawn  sabres,  "Little  Phil"  reviewing 
us  from  a  balcony  as  we  passed.  That  was  a  splendid 
sight!  Bronzed  veterans  covered  with  dust  and  glory 
from  'great  battle  fields  and  great  marches,  with  sabres 
still  keen,  flags  flying,  and  bands  playing  their  exulta 
tions. 

Passing,  in  due  time,  through  Manchester,  and  Rich 
mond,  and  Alexandria,  we  reached  Washington,  where, 
after  participating  (May  23d  and  24th)  in  the  Grand 
Review — the  grandest  ever  known  in  America — we,  in 
due  season,  reported  to  the  main  portion  of  our  regi 
ment  on  its  reaching  Maryland,  preparatory  to  our  final 
discharge  and  the  homeward  turning  of  our  faces. 


1865.  J  FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND    CAVALRY.  459 


CHAPTER    LXII. 

RETURN     OF    THE    COMMAND. 
APRIL— AUGUST,  1865. 

J^y^A t 
YLJE  now  turn  back  to  our  regimental  headquar- 
^Ls$y  ters  in  the  valley.  From  recruits  received  the 
battalion  was  brought  up  to  its  minimum  strength,  and 
Captain  Rogers,  who  had  received  a  Major's  commission, 
was  mustered  to  that  rank  March  23d.  Lieutenant 
George  W.  Darling  was  commissioned  as  Captain  and 
assigned  to  Troop  A,  though  he  remained  on  duty  at 
Conscript  Camp,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  Lieutenant  Fales,  on  being  exchanged  as  a 
prisoner  of  war,  was  mustered  out  of  service  March  6th. 
Sergeant  Stephen  H.  Pickering  was  commissioned  as 
Second  Lieutenant. 

April  15th.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fan-ell,  of  Mosby's 
command,  came  under  a  flag  of  truce  to  our  lines,  on 
the  Kerntown  road,  and  arranged  with  General  Hancock 
to  surrender  Mosby's  forces  on  the  terms  accorded  to 
General  Lee,  these  forces  being  recognized  as  a  part  of 
the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia, 

April  17th.  At  noon  Mosby  surrendered  his  forces  to 
General  Chapman  at  Berryville.  General  Rosser  was 


460  SABRES   AND   SPURS.  [April, 

also  permitted  to  have  his  troops  included  in  the  cartel. 
The  number  of  men  in  Mosby's  command  was  about 
seven  hundred,  and  during  the  remainder  of  our  stay  in 
the  valley  some  of  them  visited  our  camp  and  shared  our 
hospitalities,  recalling  the  scenes  in  which  we  had  con 
fronted  each  other,  and  paying  us  high  compliments  for 
our  soldierly  qualities  and  conduct.  Some  of  these  men 
were  truly  F.  F.  Vs. 

April  19th.  Ordered  up  the  valley,  over  roads  and 
fields,  where  so  many  hard  battles  had  been  fought;  but 
now  on  an  entirely  different  service;  we  went  to  parole 
rebel  soldiers. 

April  20th.  Arrived  at  Mount  Jackson,  where  we  re 
mained  two  days,  and  paroled  about  fifteen  hundred 
Confederates.  But  many  others  had  fled  to  their  homes 
before  the  surrender. 

April  22d.     Commenced  our  return  march. 

April  23d.  Encamped  south  of  Winchester,  about 
two  miles  on  the  road  to  Front  Royal.  Though  anxious 
to  reach  our  homes,  we  could  afford  to  wait  a  little  to 
do  up  some  small  work,  and  attend  to  red  tape. 

Asa  K.  Read  (Troop  D)  died  in  hospital,  at  Balti 
more,  Md.,  April  18th.  Corporal  E.  P.  Gardner  (Troop 
B)  died  of  consumption,  in  hospital  at  Camp  Parole, 
Annapolis,  Md.,  May  16th. 

May  19th.  Lieutenant  Hebron  H.  Steere  was  pro 
moted  to  be  First  Lieutenant. 

May  28th.  Sergeant  Edward  C.  Martin  was  promoted 
to  be  Second  Lieutenant. 

Affairs  of  the  war  were  now  fast  winding-  up.  During 
the  month  of  May,  Taylor  in  Mississippi  and  Kirby 
Smith  in  Texas  surrendered  to  General  Canby.  Jeff 
Davis,  in  his  ignoble  flight  and  cowardly  plight,  had  be 
come  a  prisoner. 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  461 

When  the  war  closed  the  Federal  army  numbered  more 
than  a  million  of  men,  and  the  navy  counted  more  than 
fifty  thousand;  and  the  expense  to  the  Government  was 
three  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars  per  day.  Three  mil 
lions  of  men,  first  and  last,  had  been  engaged  in  defend 
ing  the  Union.  Not  less  than  three  hundred  thousand 
had  been  killed  in  action  and  died  of  wounds  and  dis 
eases. 

June  1st.  Moved  near  Kerntown,  on  the  east  of  the 
pike. 

June  17th.  All  the  cavalry  moved  their  camps  four 
miles  north  of  Winchester,  in  the  Avoods. 

General  Reno,  our  brigade  commander,  informed  the 
officers  of  our  regiment  that,  if  they  chose  to  remain  in 
the  service  and  would  appear  before  an  examining  board, 
we  should  be  consolidated  with  troops  from  another 
State,  preserving  our  battalion  organization,  and  form 
one  of  the  Regular  regiments  of  the  United  States  then 
contemplated.  But  while  accepting  the  honor  of  being 
selected  to  remain  in  the  service  and  be  counted  as  Regu 
lars,  the  officers  unanimously  declined  serving  any  longer 
than  was  actually  necessary;  and  as  to  appearing  before 
an  examining  board,  they  thought  that  three  years  and 
nine  months  of  war  service  was  a  sufficient  guarantee  for 
their  ability  to  serve  their  country  in  time  of  peace.  The 
requirement  of  examination  would,  however,  be  waived 
with  the  officers,  if  it  would  make  a  difference  in  their 
decision;  still  they  declined  the  complimentary  proposi 
tion,  preferring  to  resume  their  former  peaceful  occu 
pations. 

June  22d.     In  obedience  to  orders  to  report  at  Mon 
rovia,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, we  commenced 
our  march  towards  home.     With  short  and  slow  marches 
we  could  enjoy  the  beautiful  views  of  the  country.     Pass- 
39* 


462  SABEES   AND   SPURS.  [July, 

ing  through  the  several  towns,  we  were  welcomed  and 
hospitably  entertained.  On  reaching  Maryland,  men, 
women,  and  children  came  out  to  greet  us.  The  colored 
people  were  particularly  jubilant,  as  the  war  had  happily 
changed  their  status. 

June  24th.  Peace  reigned.  Men  were  working  in 
the  fields:  delightful  scenes.  On  reaching  Newmarket, 
near  Monrovia,  we  found  the  people  engaged  in  welcom 
ing  home  their  Union  volunteers.  Our  command  was 
invited  to  attend  the  picnic  in  the  grove,  and  our  band 
furnished  the  music  suited  to  the  occasion:  a  pleasant 
scene. 

On  arriving  at  Monrovia  we  reported  by  telegraph  to 
General  Wallace  at  Baltimore.  He  directed  us  to  report 
to  General  Kenly  at  the  Relay  House.  Troop  A  was 
ordered  to  the  Kelay  House,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
command  was  directed  to  remain  at  Monrovia.  A  New 
York  battery  was  stationed  with  us.  Major  Rogers  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  post. 

July  4th.  The  patriot  day  was  duly  observed  in  town 
by  a  jubilant  parade.  The  battery  with  us  fired  the 
proper  national  salute,  and  spoke  of  freedom  as  never 
before  heard  in  Maryland.  Fireworks  and  the  flames  of 
old  worn-out  war  barracks— apt  symbols— illumined  the 
evening. 

July  25th.  Orders  received  that  the  command  should 
be  mustered  out  of  the  service,  and  Captain  Baker  was 
charged  with  the  duty.  How  welcome!  The  war-path 
ended.  As  soon  as  relieved  by  the  Second  United  States 
Cavalry  we  were  to  proceed  to  the  Relay  House,  and 
finally  report  to  Major  Wharton,  U.  S.  A.,  the  muster 
ing  officer  at  Baltimore.  Must  wait  1'or  red  tape. 

July  28th.  Second  United  States  Cavalry  arrived, 
and  we  took  up  our  last  mounted  march,  happy,  as  we 


1865.]  FIRST   KHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  4G3 

looked  forward  to  our  free  Northern  homes;  but  oh!  how 
filled  with  saddening,  unutterable  emotions,  as  we  looked 
backward  upon  the  battle  fields  and  prisons  where  silently 
slept  our  martyred  comrades — brothers  never  to  return — 
brothers  never  to  be  forgotten. 

Leaving  Monrovia  at  seven  in  the  morning,  at  evening 
we  encamped  near  the  Catholic  College,  close  by  Carrol 
Manor.  Here  we  were  kindly  received  and  entertained 
by  the  Professors,  who,  as  we  left  them,  gave  us  the 
"  God  bless  you." 

July  29th.  Eeached  the  Relay  House  at  ten,  and  en 
camped.  Now  came  the  glad  ceremonies  of  mustering 
out.  Our  horses  were  sent  to  Baltimore.  By  August 
2d  our  muster  rolls  were  completed.  All  property  not 
retained  by  the  men  was  transferred  to  the  Government. 
Our  organic  life  as  a  war  body  terminated.  Our  pen 
feels  a  thrill  as  we  write  this  sentence. 

When  mustered  out  the  strength  of  the  command  was: 

1.  Present.     Officers,  11;  men,  295. 

2.  Absent.     Officers,  2;  men,  70. 
Aggregate,  378. 

August  2d.  The  muster  out  officer  was  Captain  D. 
L.  Beckwith.  Our  muster  out  dated  August  3d.  At 
seven  in  the  evening  we  took  train  for  Baltimore,  where, 
after  refreshments,  at  ten  at  night  we  hastened  on,  bid 
ding  adieu  to  Maryland — "My  Maryland" — and  the 
mountains  and  scenes  of  Virginia,  now  sinking  in  the 
distance  to  the  outward  eye,  but  never  to  cease  in  the 
view  of  memory.  • 

August  3d.  Reached  Philadelphia  at  nine  in  the 
morning,  where  we  received  a  warm  and  bountiful 
breakfast.  God  bless  the  patriotic,  large-hearted  Phil- 
adelphians.  At  eleven  A.  M.  we  took  cars  that  landed 
us  in  New  York  at  five  in  the  evening,  where  we  found 


4C4  SABRES    AND    SPURS.  [August, 

quarters  at  the  Battery.  In  the  New  York  papers  ap 
peared  handsome  notices  of  our  command,  with  mention 
of  the  battles  on  our  roll. 

August  4th.  Shared  the  kindness  and  services  of 
Colonel  Almy,  our  State  Agent  at  New  York,  a  man 
ever  on  the  alert  to  do  all  in  his  power  for  our  troops  as 
they  passed  through  that  city.  Embarked  at  five  in  the 
evening  on  steamer  Oceanus,  of  the  Neptune  line,  and 
turned  swiftly  towards  the  Plantations  of  Little  Rhody. 

August  5th.  Every  man  astir  before  reaching  New 
port.  'To  look  on  Rhody's  shores  was  good  for  the  eyes: 
who  can  tell  how  good  to  our  hearts?  Narragansett  Bay 
was -never  so  fair  to  us  as  on  this  summer  morning:  no 
war  bugles  broke  on  its  silence;  all  was  sweet  peace. 

Reaching  Providence  at  six  in  the  morning,  we  were 
met  by  the  Providence  Horse  Guards  and  escorted  to 
Washington  Hall,  where  a  fine  collation  was  furnished 
under  the  tasteful  direction  of  Colonel  Henry  Crandall, 
Assistant  Commissary-General.  Our  happy  band  enliv 
ened  our  march  and  moved  the  cheers  of  citizens  by  the 
choicest  strains — the  music  of  loyalty — the  music  of 
freedom — the  music  of  victory — the  music  of  home. 
After  hearty  greetings,  we  were  dismissed  till  orders 
should  be  sent  to  re-assemble  in  Providence  to  be  paid  off. 

August  llth.  Henly  A.  Allen  (Troop  A)  died  of  dis 
ease,  in  Providence. 

August  15th.  Assembled  at  barracks  in  the  Cove 
Grounds,  and  were  paid  off  by  Major  Hapgood,  the 
men  receiving,  in  due  official  form,  their  honorable  dis 
charges.  And  surely  the  "honorable"  had  been  earned. 
The  .bugles  that  were  first  blown  in  September,  1861, 
calling  us  to  arms  in  defense  of  freedom  and  our  price 
less,  beneficent  Government,  and  had  so  often  rallied  us 
to  great  and  desperate  battles,  now  sounded  the  sweet  re- 


1865.]  FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  465 

call  to  peace  and  home,  while  our  nation  had  proclaimed 
"  liberty  throughout  all  the  land  to  all  the  inhabitants 
thereof."  With  inexpressible  joy  and  pride  we  now 
turned  to  hang  our  sabres  and  spurs  in  the  halls  of  our 
thrice  hallowed  homes. 

'  During  our  term  of  service,  first  and  last,  there  had 
been  connected  with  the  command  one  thousand,  five 
hundred  and  fifty-one  men:  eleven  hundred  and  twenty- 
two  with  the  Rhode  Island  battalions,  four  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  with  the  New  Hampshire  battalion. 

Of  the  original  members  of  the  regiment  that  left  the 
State  in  March,  1862,  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  re 
turned  with  the  command;  eighty-three  of  them  had 
been  prisoners — some  of  them  twice,  and  thirty-seven  of 
them  had  been  wounded.  With  the  command  returned 
only  three  of  the  original  officers;  two  of  them  had  been 
wounded,  the  other  had  been  a  prisoner.  The  roll  of 
our  battles,  which  we  subjoin,  may  also  speak  for  us. 

LIST   OF   ENCOUNTERS   WITH   THE   ENEMY. 

1.  Near  Warren  ton  Junction,  April  16,  1862. 

2.  Bappahannock  Crossing,  April  18,  1862. 

3.  Front  Royal,  May  30,  1862. 

4.  Columbia  Bridge,  June  2,  1862. 

5.  Miller's  Bridge,  June  4,  1862, 
0.  Mountain  Road,  June  9,  1862. 

7.  Cedar  Mountain,  August  9,  1862. 

8.  North  Rappahannock,          August  21,  1862. 

9.  Catlett  Station,  August  21,  1862. 

10.  Rappahannock  Station,  August  23,  1862. 

11.  Sulphur  Springs,  August  26,  1862. 

12.  Groveton,  August  28,  1862. 

13.  Second  Bull  Run,  August  30,  1862. 

14.  Chantilly,  September  1,  1862. 


466 


SABKES   AND   SPURS. 


15.  White's  Ford, 

16.  Mountville, 

17.  Hazee  Run, 

18.  Fredericksburg, 

19.  Hartwood  Church, 

20.  Kelly's  Ford, 

21.  Near  Kelly's  Ford, 

22.  Rapid  an  River, 

23.  Ellis  Ford, 

24.  Brandy  Station, 

25.  Middleburg, 

26.  Jones  Cross  Roads, 

27.  Hazel  Run, 

28.  Rapidan  Station, 

29.  Near  Warren  ton, 

30.  Near  Auburn, 

31.  Bristoe  Station, 

32.  Beverly  Ford, 

33.  Bowling  Green, 

34.  White  House  Landing, 

35.  Deep  Bottom, 

36.  Berryville, 

37.  Near  Front  Royal, 

38.  Halltown, 

39.  Shepardstown, 

40.  White  Post, 

41.  Opequan, 

42.  Luray, 

43.  Waynesboro, 

44.  Fisher's  Hill, 

45.  Cedar  Creek, 

46.  Near  Winchester, 

47.  Near  Mount  Jackson, 

48.  Second  Waynesboro, 


October  12,  1862. 
October  31,  1862. 
November  16,  1862. 
December  13,  1862. 
February  25,  1863. 
March  17,  1863. 
April  29,  1863. 
May  1,  1863. 
May  4,  1863. 
June  9,  1863. 
June  17,  1863. 
July  10,  1863. 
September  13,  1863. 
September  14,  1863. 
October  12,  1863. 
October  14,  1863. 
October  14,  1863. 
December  1,  1863. 
May  29,  1864. 
June  20,  1864. 
July  28,  1864. 
August  13,  1864. 
August  16,  18(54. 
August  22,  1864. 
August  25,  1864. 
September  4,  1864. 
September  19,  1864. 
September  24,  1864. 
September  28,  1864. 
October  9,  1864. 
October  19,  1864. 
November  10,  1864. 
November  23,  1864. 
March  2,  1865. 


FIRST    RHODE    ISLAND  CAVALRY.  467 

40.  Mount  Jackson,  March  7,  1865. 

50.  Ashland,  March  15,  1865. 

51.  Five  Forks,  April  1,  1865. 

52.  Deep  Creek,  April  3,  1865. 

53.  Jettersville,  April  4,  1865. 

54.  ^  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6,  1865. 

55.  Appomattox  Depot,  April  8,  1865. 

56.  Appomattox  Court  House,  April  9,  1865. 


PATRIOT    SERVICE. 

Henceforth  be  the  flag  of  our  country  respected; 

The  breasts  of  the  free  are  a  shield  for  the  right; 
By  lords  and  by  monarchs  though  scorned  and  neglected, 

Yet  here  has  the  true  been  defended  by  minht. 

Forever  the  graves  of  our  martyrs  shall  witness 
That  virtue  and  valor  are  twin  in  our  land; 

The  rule  of  the  people  has  proven  its  fitness 
Not  less  for  self-sacrifice  than  for  command. 

To  us  the  Great  Ruler  of  nations  has  given 
A  mission  of  majesty  fraught  with  renown — 

To  reach  the  grand  goal  for  which  nations  have  striven— 
Exalting  the  banner  that  kings  have  trod  down. 

That  ensign  now  floats  on  our  hills  in  its  beauty, 
And  hailed  as  a  symbol  and  pledge  by  the  world 

That  the  free  and  the  brave  shall  be  crowned  in  their  duty, 
While  Slavery's  hosts  from  the  earth  shall  be  hurled. 

Let  far  generations  declare  the  devotion 

Of  all  who  for  Freedom  poured  forth  their  life  blood; 
And,  inheriting  spirits  of  kindred  emotion, 

Lay  as  freely  their  gifts  on  the  altar  of  God. 


468  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 


CHAPTER    LXIII. 

ARMY     HYMNS. 

T  the  urgent  request?  of  the  veterans  of  the  regi 
ment  we  here  insert  most  of  the  little  hymns 
written  for  the  command  by  the  Chaplain,  and  printed 
in  32mo  form,  and  pasted  into  our  pocket  Bibles  and 
Testaments.  How  many  sacred,  tender  Sabbath  services 
and  funeral  occasions  they  will  recall.  A  few  of  the 
minor  stanzas  are  omitted,  as  are  the  passages  of  Scrip 
ture  at  the  head  of  the  hymns  in  the  original  manual. 

ARMY    HYMN. 
S.  M.     TUNE— St.  Thomas. 
When  fled  the  pilgrim  band 
From  tyranny  and  wrong, 
They  sought,  Great  God,  thy  guiding  hand, 
And  raised  to  Thee  their  song. 

Along  this  western  strand, 

Inspired  by  love  to  Thee, 
With  costly  sacrifice  they  planned 

A  home  for  Liberty. 

To  Freedom's  sons,  O  Lord, 

The  strength  and  courage  give 
To  wield,  in  righteousness,  the  sword, 

That  Freedom  still  may  live. 


FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  469 

Helmet  and  shield  be  Thou ; — 

Thine  arm  our  mighty  stay, — 
Till  every  hostile  force  shall  bow, 

And  truth  hold  peaceful  sway. 


ARMY    HYMN. 
L.  M.     TUNE—  Old  Hundred. 

Thee  we  adore,  Eternal  King, 

Whose  word  to  worlds  their  order  gave; 
Thy  wisdom,  power,  and  grace  we  sing, 

And  trust  Thy  arm  alone  to  save. 

The  holy  armies  of  the  skies 
Delight  Thy  mandates  to  fulfill; 

So  let  the  hosts  of  earth  arise, 
And  joyful  wait  to  do  Thy  will. 

Our  fathers  in  the  camp  and  field 
Were  wont  to  pray  and  hymn  Thy  praise; 

Be  Thou  alike  to  us  a  shield, — 
O'er  us  Thy  mighty  banner  raise. 

Our  sins  forgive,  our  foes  subdue, 
Our  rulers  bless,  our  country  own; 

O  guide  us  safe  life's  warfare  through 
And  prove  the  mercy  of  Thy  throne. 


ARMY    HYMN. 
C.  M.     TUNE — Coronation. 

Thy  people  in  their  camps  of  yore 
Declared,  Great  God,  Thy  praise; 

The  cloudy  pillar  moved  before 
Through  all  their  dangerous  ways. 

Before  us  in  each  conflict  go — 
Thine  arm  success  imparts; 

Subdue  around  us  every  foe 

And  change  disloyal  hearts. 
40 


470  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 

In  days  of  sacrifice  and  war 
Thy  hand  led  forth  our  sires; 

Once  more,  O  Lord,  to  bless  appear, 
And  guard  our  altar  fires. 

Far  hence  remove  our  nation's  guilt ; 

Let  Treason  be  o'erthrown ; 
Our  State  in  Thy  great  name  be  built, 

And  wide  Thy  grace  be  known. 

ARMY    HYMN. 

7's.     TUNE — PleyeVs  Hytn  >> . 
Father,  wondrous  in  thy  ways, 
Hear  our  humble  notes  of  praise; 
Thine  the  power  and  thine  the  grace, 
Whence  the  nations  draw  success. 

When  thine  ancient  servants  prayed, 
All  Thy  foes  were  sore  dismayed; 
Washington  in  prayer  wras  found; 
Thou  the  patriot  struggle  crowned. 

Guide  our  armies  in  the  field; 
O'er  them  spread  Thy  mighty  shield; 
Bid  them  battle  for  the  right ; 
Arm  them  with  victorious  might. 

Break  each  false  Confederate  league; 
Breathe  success  round  Freedom's  flag; 
Law  and  love  on  earth  enthrone, — 
All  the  praise  shall  be  thine  own. 

ARMY    HYMN. 
H.  M.     TUNE— Lenox. 
Exalted  be  Thy  name, 

Eternal  God,  our  King; 
Thy  mercy  be  our  theme, 

While  we  Thy  sceptre  sing. 
At  Thy  command  let  mortals  rise, 
And  lift  their  anthems  to  the  skies. 


FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND    CAVALRY.  471 

When  Israel  was. Thy  choice 

And  keeper  of  Thy  law, 
Earth  heard  Thy  mighty  voice 

And  nations  stood  in  awe; 
A  bannered  host  at  Thy  behest 
Possessed,  by  amis,  the  land  of  rest. 

Be  Thou  our  help,  O  God, 

Against  each  desperate  foe ; 
Destroy  oppression's  rod 

By  justice's  righteous  blow ; 
Redeem  our  land  from  every  wrong, 
And  praise  shall  rise  from  every  tongue. 


ARMY    HYMN. 
6's  and  4's.     TUNE — America. 

O,  Lord,  inspire  each  heart 
To  act  the  loyal  part   - 

To  man  and  Thee ; 
Thy  spirit  and  Thy  word, 
More  potent  than  the  sword, 
Be  round  us  like  a  guard, 

And  make  us  free. 

Throughout  our  land  be  known 
The  favor  of  Thy  throne 

For  liberty. 

Preserve  our  equal  laws; 
Maintain  our  righteous  cause; 
Determine  Freedom's  wars 

In  victory. 

Through  all  our  warrior  host, 
Be  this  our  only  boast, — 

"Thy  will  be  done." 
And  when  life's  war  is  o'er, 
Receive  us  evermore 
Upon  the  heavenly  shore, 

Through  Christ  Thy  Son. 


472  SABEES   AND   SPURS. 

ARMY    HYMN. 

8's,  7's  and  4's.     TUNE—  Greenville. 

Mighty  Ruler,  all  commanding, 
Reigning  on  thy  heavenly  throne, 

Forth  to  earth  Thy  spirit  sending, 
Winning  conquests  for  Thy  Son, 

Lead  our  armies 
Till  rebellion  be  cast  down. 

Let  thy  angels,  by  direction, 
Round  our  loyal  forces  tent, 

Granting  all  divine  protection 
Till  the  battle  storm  be  spent; 

Lead  our  armies;. 
Guide  us  till  our  foes  relent. 

Let  Thy  gospel,  freely  sounding 

"  Peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men," 

Speedy  stay  all  human  wounding; 
Claim  our  country  as  Thy  own ; 

Lead  our  armies 
Till  Thy  righteous  will  be  done. 


ARMY    HYMN. 

S.  M.     TUNE — No  More  Sorrow  There. 

O  honored  native  land, 

Home  famed  afar  and  blest, 
Enshrined  before  me  thou  dost  stand, 

In  hallowed  memories  drest. 
Chorus — Fair  land  the  pilgrims  trod, 
Dear  home  of  noble  sires, 
Land  bought  by  sacred  patriot  blood, 
And  lit  by  Freedom's  fires. 

Long  live  the  dear  domain, 
Where  truth  strikes  free  her  chords, 

And  lifts  to  God  the  glad  refrain, 
For  all  his  rich  awards. 
Fair  land,  &c. 


FIRST   RHODE   ISLAND   CAVALRY.  473 


O  Sovereign  Ruler,  own 

Our  heartfelt,  patriot  lay; 
Our  land  with  constant  blessings  crown, 

And  lead  us  in  Thy  way. 
Fair  land,  &c. 


ARMY    HYMN. 

8's  and  7's.     TUNE —  Wilmot. 

In  Thy  statutes,  Saviour,  lead  us, 
Like  thine  ancient  chosen  host; 

On  the  march  of  life  succeed  us, 
That  our  souls  in  Thee  may  boast. 

In  the  Christian's  armor  dress  us; 

Bid  our  sins  and  foes  retire; 
In  our  camps  and  conflicts  bless  us, — 

Lead  us  with  Thy  cloud  and  tire. 

For  our  glory  be  our  wrarring — 
All  our  victories  crowned  with  right; 

Truth  upon  our  standard  bearing, 
Give  us  conquest  through  Thy  might. 

Guide  o'er  hill  and  plain  and  river; 

Grant  us  courage  to  endure; 
Safe  our  souls  at  last  deliver 

Victors  on  the  heavenly  shore. 


ARMY    HYMN. 
7's  and  6's.     TUNE — Yarmouth. 

The  Lord  lift  up  our  banner 

And  grant  our  arms  success, 
That  loud  be  our  hosanna 

In  honor  of  his  grace; — 
The  grace  that  conquers  sinning 

And  clothes  the  soul  with  might, 
For  duty  and  for  winning 

In  battling  for  the  right. 
40* 


474  SABRES   AND    SPURS. 

O  chant  the  heavenly  story — 

Our  hope  of  liberty; 
The  cross  be  all  our  glory 

And  pledge  of  victory; — 
The  law  of  God  our  banner — 

The  love  of  Christ  our  song- 
Then  shout  we  our  hosanna 

And  roll  the  strain  along. 


DOXOLOGIES. 
L.  M.     TUNE—  Old  Hundred. 

Conspire  ye  powers  of  heaven  and  earth 
To  set  Jehovah's  glory  forth ; 
Let  every  tongue  of  every  host 
Bless  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost. 

C.  M.     TvnE—Ortottnlle. 

In  Him  alone  let  armies  boast, 
From  whom  proceeds  all  power; 

To  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost 
Be  praise  for  evermore. 


FOR    BURIAL    SERVICE. 

TUNE — Hebron. 

Thus  dust  to  dust  and  earth  to  earth, 
We  lay  our  brother  down  to  rest; 

Yet  God  shall  call  the  body  forth 
To  be  with  life  immortal  dressed. 

Our  Manual  of  Song,  under  the  text,  "The  Lord  is 
our  shield,"  was  printed  in  Providence,  by  A.  Crawford 
Greene.  The  order  of  services  for  our  worship  was 
printed  on  the  cover.  The  date  of  the  manual  was, 
"Camp  Hallett,  R.  L,  November  18,  1861." 


FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY.  475 


CHAPTER    LXIV 

OUR     FALLEN     COMRADES. 


ROLL    OF    HONOR. 

Captain  WILLIAM  P.  AINSWORTH. 

First  Lieutenant  L.  D.  GOVE. 

Second  Lieutenant  JOSEPH  A.  CHEDELL,  Jr. 

H.  L.  NICOLAI. 
"          CHARLES  A.  SAWYER. 
JAMES  P.  TAYLOR. 
GEORGE  T.  SLOCUM. 
"  "          JOHN  L.  PERLEY,  Jr. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant  GEORGE  W.  HARRIS. 

SERGEANTS. 

JOHN  H.  AUSTIN,  J.  FITZGERALD, 

JOHN  S.  BROWN,  M.  L.  PARMERTER, 

R.  V.  BARROWS,  GEORGE  P.  STREETER. 
CHARLES  B.  DELANAH, 

CORPORALS. 

THOMAS  BURTON,  ALLEN  R,  PAYNE, 

GEORGE  W.  GORTON,  J.  R.  PETERSON, 

E.  P.  GARDNER,  GEORGE  T.  REYNOLDS. 

J.  C.  KIERNAN,  JOSEPH  W.  VINCENT. 


476 


SABRES    AND    SPURS. 


PRIVATES. 


ALLEN,  HENRY  A. 
ALLEN,  E.  B. 
ALLEN,  CHARLES  N. 
ANGELL,  JESSE  W. 
AVERT,  JAMES 
BATES,  E.  B. 
BABCOCK,  J.  0. 
BARNARD,  GEORGE  B. 
BARNARD,  E.  K. 
Bo  WEN,  0.  L. 
BOWDITCH,  ISAAC 
BOWLED,  WILLIAM  8. 
BLAKE,  JAMES  F. 
BIDMEAD,  R.  J. 
BROWN,  WILLIAM 
BRADWICK,  WILLIAM  S. 
BRACKET,  C.  A. 
BURKE,  JAMES 
BUCKLEY,  FRANCIS 
CARPENTER,  P. 
CONLIN,  JOHN 
COLLINS,  JAMES  H. 
CORSON,  ELI 
CORSON,  BENJAMIN  S. 
COREY,  CHARLES  W. 
CHILDS,  JASON  N. 

COLLOMEY,  J.   P. 

CLARKE,  GEORGE  L. 
CUSHMAN,  H.  C. 
CLERMONT,  C.  H. 
DURDEN,  ROBERT 
DURFIELD,  ANDREW 
DEARBORN,  GEORGE 


EUSTIS,  GEORGE  C. 
ELKINS,  JOHN  H. 
FAIRBANKS,  C. 
FOSTER,  HORATIO 
FOSTER,  JACOB  B. 
FREELOVE,  H.  B. 
FLANDERS,  E.  C. 
GAGE,  GEORGE  H. 
GARDNER,  JOSEPH  W. 
GODFREY,  M.  H. 
GRAVES,  CHARLES  A. 
GREENE,  HENRY     , 
GREENE,  A.  C. 
GOULD,  CHARLES  E. 
HALL,  T.  A.  G. 
HAMMELL,  JOHN 
HEALY,  ALONZO 
HENRY,  THOMAS 
HILL,  AMBROSE  B. 
Hiscox,  BENJAMIN 
HUNT,  CALEB  W. 
HUGHES,  P. 
HOOK,  A.  VAN 
IDE,  S.  R. 
KENYON,  JOHN 
KENYON,  CHARLES  L. 
KEMPTON,  H.  W. 
KANE,  CHARLES 
KIERNAN,  JOHN 
KING,  R.  E. 
KETTLE,  JAMES 
LAVERAN,  P. 
LEACH,  L.  D. 


FIRST   RHODE    ISLAND   CAVALRY. 


477 


LEACH,  M. 

LOCKE,  BENJAMIN  T. 
LAIVSON,  B.  C. 
LOUGEE,  L.  R. 
LEIGHTON,  S.  W. 
MAINE,  CHARLES  II. 
HARDEN,  WILLIAM  R. 
MOORE,  E.  F. 
MINER,  STEPHEN 
MILLINGTON,  J.  W. 

McGRATH,   P.   1st, 

MULVEY,  JOHN 
NORTHRUP,  E. 
ORDWAY,  LEVI 
PECK,  J.  F. 
PETTE,  DAVID 
POTTER,  GEORGE  D. 
RATH  BONE,  JEREMIAH 
RAWCLIFFE,  J.  W. 
READ,  ASA  K. 
REYNOLDS,  OWEN 
ROUNDS,  P.  J. 
RAY,  WALTER 
'SHAPLEY,  JOHN  H. 


SHERIDAN,  JOHN 
SALISBURY,  S. 
SHORD,  JOSEPH 
SMITH,  AUGUSTUS 
STEELE,  GEORGE  H. 
SMITH,  0.  P. 
SMITH,  P.  B. 
SMYTH,  CYRUS 
BUTTON,  E.  B. 
SPINK,  D.  C. 
SWEET,  M.  W. 
THOMPSON,  L. 
TRAVERS,  FRANK 
WESTCOTT,  ISAAC 
WEST,  HIRAM 
WEST,  GEORGE  W. 
WILCOX,  GEORGE  S. 
.  WILCOX,  SAMUEL, 
WINSOR,  JOHN 
WILSON,  ALVAN 
WHEELER,  JAMES  P. 
WHIPPLE,  AUSTIN  L 
WOODWARD,  W.  H. 
YORK,  ISAAC  F. 


478 


SABRES   AND   SPURS. 


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598  SABRES   AND   SPURS. 


CHAPTER    LXVI. 

THE     VETERAN     ASSOCIATION. 

"The  links,  enwove  by  stern  self -sacrifice, 
Brother  to  brother  binding." 

5JJ/ECULIARLY  tender  and  enduring  is  the  fellow- 
^»5  snip  °t  arms>  formed  and  matured  amid  perils, 
privations,  and  sufferings,  endured  for  the  love  of  liberty 
and  the  welfare  of  our  country.  Herein  is  a  bond  of 
brotherhood  that  is  sacred  and  imperishable. 

The  veterans  of  the  honored  First  Rhode  Island  Cav 
alry,  after  many  preliminary  consultations,  formed  a 
Veteran  Association,  September  15,  18G9,  with  the  fol 
lowing  officers : 

President — Major  JOHN  ROGERS. 

First  Vice-President — Captain  ALLEN  BAKER,  Jr. 

Second  Vice-President — Captain  GEORGE  W.  DARLING. 

Treasurer — Lieutenant  HEBRON  II.  STEERE. 

Chaplain — Rev.  ETHAN  R.  CLARKE. 

Historian — Rev.  FREDERIC  DENISON. 

Executive  Committee — EDWARD  C.  CAPWELL,  SAM-, 
UEL  R.  GREENE,  GEORGE  F.  CUMMTNGS,  WELCOME  A. 
JOHNSON. 

The  first  re-union  was  held  December  14,  1869,  the 
anniversary  of  our  muster-in  to  the  United  States  ser 
vice.  At  this  meeting,  in  the  Horse  Guards  Armory,  in 


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